Many of us often resolve to be more mindful in our day-to-day, but we don't quite know how to go about putting this into practice. Well, if being more present, conscious or in-the-moment is on your wellness to-do list, from meditation apps to yoga videos, there's an abundance of Zen-inducing resources available right in the palm of your hand.
Switch to Do Not Disturb mode or mute text threads when you want some inner calm.
While not fully unplugging into airplane mode, Do Not Disturb allows you to receive calls and texts without the distracting or (at times) stress-inducing notifications that come with them. Many smartphone models offer this option, and you'll find yourself feeling less tied down by incoming correspondence or affected by other people's needs on your time. And speaking of other people, we all know that group text that can send your phone alerts into overdrive. Put threads that aren't super time-sensitive or in need of your immediate attention on mute so that you can stay focused on other priorities, including clearing your mind.
Limit notifications to put yourself in control of your time.
Just as you might mute a text thread, it's also possible to control which notifications you receive on your phone each day. Assess what is absolutely imperative that you know about instantaneously, and turn off notifications for everything else. For example, you might find work emails a must for instant notifications, but not necessarily every like or comment on social media as they unfold in real time.
Find a great meditation app.
Taking time to breathe and reset mentally definitely has its perks. In fact, meditation is scientifically proven to boost health, happiness and productivity – among other benefits. A quick online search will lead you to a plethora of apps that can help make meditation an easy and intuitive part of your daily routine. Or you can follow Kesha’s advice, and download the same anxiety-alleviating apps she loves.
Unwind after a stressful day with some YouTube Yoga.
There are a number of ways that yoga has been shown to improve health. But busy days or a tight budget might make getting to an actual class difficult sometimes. That makes finding a good yoga video (of which there are many) on YouTube or any number of streaming services an incredibly easy way to let your mobile help you be more mindful.
Create a super Zen-inducing playlist.
We all have songs, affirmations, or podcasts that instantly calm us down and transport us into a Zen-like state. Peruse your favorite streaming service and put together a Mindfulness Mix to use as a go-to for when you want to switch into chill mode. Or borrow one that’s already backed by science!
Want to get even more out of your device? Check out our 10 Tips for the Perfect Social Media Shots!