By Elizabeth Herman | Posted: April 18, 2018
When could you be more mindful? Only at yoga class or in the bathtub? What about all the times when you feel busy but could still incorporate mindfulness practice into normal activity?
On the topic of practicing mindfulness, mainstream culture frequently mentions rejuvenating activities such as eating, walking, and yoga. However, mindfulness doesn’t discriminate. It can even make the most mundane, tiring tasks extraordinary.
Today's world moves at a fast pace, and “I don’t have enough time” is becoming a staple modern phrase. Unfortunately, the busyness does not stop at work. We’ve all had the experience of arriving home to a house that seems to demand hours to clean, and endless lists of chores:
- dirty laundry
- pots and pans waiting in the sink
- vegetables to chop
- grocery lists hung on an empty refrigerator
- dusty furniture
- trash strewn around the yard
- disorganized closets
- floors covered with crumbs and mud smudges
No matter how hard we try, the daily tasks often seem to pile up, leaving no time for peace of mind.
Uniting in bliss through yoga
This is where yoga comes in. The word ‘yoga’ means ‘to yoke’ or ‘unite.’ Toward this end result, we connect our mind and body through awareness of our actions. Every moment of our day transforms into an opportunity to gain peace of mind.
Use yoga to convert your daily chores into a blissful yoga practice by applying these mindful living tips. You will be amazed at how quickly your work is accomplished when experiencing chores as a form of self-care!
1. Mindful breath
Breathing deeply and diaphragmatically is an excellent place to start when applying mindfulness to household chores. While doing any task, whether ironing or washing dishes, become aware of your breathing.
Often, when we lose track of our breath, breathing becomes shallow. Repetitive tasks, such as dishwashing, provide the opportunity to become aware of breath for an extended period, filling our bodies with fresh oxygen and connecting us to the present moment.
2. Mindful body
All waking moments offer a chance to become aware of the body and practice yoga. For example, while ironing, become aware of whether you’re scrunching your neck and compressing your spine as you bend towards your iron.
Extend your feet and plant them firmly on the ground, bending from the hips rather than from the back. Soon, you may find yourself entering the flow of ironing, breathing deeply, with hips bending as you flex and stretch. The hour of ironing will pass without you even realizing it!
Even standing in line at the grocery store can become a mindful, relaxing practice of Tadasana (Mountain Pose). The more you become aware of your body, the more you’ll notice your posture improve and your awareness enter into the present moment.
3. Mindful thoughts
Often, rushing through the day causes loss of awareness of our inner dialogue. Because thoughts influence feelings and ultimately actions, forgetting our internal soundtrack can lead to unfortunate, regrettable decisions. Household chores provide the space and time to become more aware of thoughts in the mind.
While washing dishes, as you feel the warm water flowing, notice without judgment the thoughts that come and go. Each time you notice your mind wandering, bring your awareness back to the task of dishwashing. This practice will help you cultivate the power to be aware of your inner world while engaging in mindful activity.
For more guidance, experiences, and techniques for mindfulness in everyday life, you could register for the Happiness Program!
By Elizabeth Herman - PhD in English, with concentrations in Rhetoric and Composition, and Literature, she offers writing support to clients, teaches locally, and lives in Boone, NC. With a longtime keen interest in Yoga and Ayurveda, she recently completed a 200-hour yoga teacher training with Sri Sri School of Yoga.
