9 mindful habits that are hard to adopt but will make you much happier

Happiness is a choice, but it’s a hard one to make when life gets tough. Mindfulness can help.

Incorporating mindfulness into our daily routines is no small feat. It’s a challenge, but one that can lead to immense happiness in the long run.

Mindfulness is all about being present, conscious of where we are and what we’re doing. Not being overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us. It sounds simple, but it’s harder than you think.

Adopting mindful habits is no walk in the park. But I promise you, it’s worth the effort.

Here are nine mindful habits that may be tough to adopt, but will ultimately steer you towards a happier life.

1) Embrace stillness

In the hustle and bustle of today’s world, it’s easy to get caught up in a constant state of motion. We’re always rushing from one task to the next, rarely taking a moment to simply be.

That’s where the concept of stillness comes in.

Stillness is about finding calm amidst chaos, about taking a moment to simply exist. It involves shutting out distractions and focusing on your own breathing, your own thoughts, your own existence.

Sounds simple, right? But in practice, it can be incredibly challenging. It’s hard to tune out the noise of the world. It’s hard to sit in silence when we’re so used to constant stimulation.

But if you can learn to embrace stillness, you’ll find a sense of peace and happiness that’s hard to come by in our fast-paced world.

Adopting this habit might be a struggle, but trust me, it’s worth it. Embrace stillness and watch your happiness levels soar.

2) Practice gratitude

I’ve always been a bit of a pessimist. It’s easier to focus on the negatives, the things that are going wrong. But one day, I decided to try something new.

I started a gratitude journal. Every night before bed, I would write down three things that I was grateful for that day.

At first, it felt forced. I struggled to come up with three things. But as days turned into weeks, I found myself looking forward to this little ritual. I started noticing the small joys in life – a warm cup of coffee on a cold day, a smile from a stranger, a phone call from an old friend.

This one small change made a huge difference. I found myself happier and more content. Even on bad days, I was able to find something positive to reflect upon.

Adopting the habit of practicing gratitude is not always easy. It requires you to shift your mindset and actively seek out the positives. But trust me when I say, it’s worth it. Gratitude can change your life, just like it changed mine.

3) Digital detox

In this day and age, we’re constantly connected. Our phones are the first thing we reach for in the morning and the last thing we look at before bed. Did you know the average person spends over 3 hours a day on their mobile devices?

That’s a lot of screen time.

Excessive screen time can lead to stress, anxiety, and overall dissatisfaction. It’s hard to be present when you’re constantly checking your phone.

That’s why a digital detox is so important.

It’s about consciously taking time away from our devices. It could be an hour a day, a day a week, or even a week a year. The point is to disconnect in order to reconnect with yourself and the world around you.

Sure, it’s tough to break away from our screens. But once you do, you’ll likely find that it brings a sense of calm and happiness that’s hard to match. So give it a try – unplug for a while and see how it feels.

4) Mindful eating

How often do we eat our meals while watching TV, scrolling through our phones, or even working? In our fast-paced lives, we tend to multitask even when we eat. But this means we’re not fully present in the act of nourishing our bodies.

Enter mindful eating.

This habit is all about paying full attention to the experience of eating and drinking, both inside and outside the body. It’s about noticing the colors, smells, flavors, and textures of your food, chewing slowly, getting rid of distractions, and learning to cope with guilt and anxiety about food.

Adopting mindful eating can be a real challenge in our fast-paced world, but the benefits are worth it. It can help you enjoy your food more, improve your digestion and make you feel happier and more satisfied. So next time you sit down for a meal, try to really savor each bite. You might be surprised at how much more enjoyable eating can be.

5) Daily meditation

When you think of meditation, you might envision a monk sitting in silence in a remote monastery. But meditation is a practice that can be incorporated into our everyday lives, no matter where we are.

Meditation involves focusing your mind for a certain amount of time, usually on your breath or a specific thought or phrase. It’s about bringing your mind back to the present moment, instead of letting it wander aimlessly.

Meditation can be a tough habit to cultivate. It requires discipline, consistency, and patience. It can be uncomfortable to sit in silence with your thoughts, especially in the beginning.

But regular meditation can lead to increased happiness by reducing stress, improving concentration, and promoting a better understanding of oneself. Even just a few minutes each day can make a significant difference. So why not give it a try? Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and simply be.

6) Acts of kindness

Kindness is an incredible thing. It has the power to transform situations, relationships, and yes, even our own happiness.

Performing acts of kindness, no matter how small, can bring immense joy both to the person receiving and the one giving. It could be as simple as holding the door open for someone, paying a compliment, or helping a neighbor with their groceries.

But in our busy lives, we often forget to show kindness. We are so caught up in our own problems that we forget about those around us.

Cultivating a habit of performing daily acts of kindness can be challenging. It requires us to step out of our comfort zone and sometimes put others before ourselves.

But I assure you, the rewards are immense. Not only does it make others happy, but it also boosts our own mood and creates a positive environment around us. So go on, spread a little kindness today and see how it lights up your life.

7) Living in the present

We often spend so much time worrying about the future or dwelling on the past that we forget to live in the present. I remember a time when I was so preoccupied with what might happen next that I completely missed out on enjoying what was happening right in front of me.

This habit of being fully engaged in the present moment is known as mindfulness. It’s about letting go of past regrets and future anxieties, and focusing on the here and now.

Adopting this habit can be difficult. It’s not easy to let go of our worries and fears, or to stop rehashing past events. But once we do, we often find that our current situation is a lot more enjoyable than we realized.

Living in the present allows us to fully experience life as it happens, which can lead to a deeper sense of happiness and fulfillment. So give it a try, start small by focusing on the present moment during simple activities like eating, walking, or even breathing. It can make a world of difference.

8) Regular exercise

We all know that exercise is good for our physical health. But did you know it’s equally important for our mental health and happiness?

Regular exercise releases endorphins, also known as “feel-good” hormones, that help reduce stress and anxiety and boost our mood.

But let’s face it, it’s often hard to motivate ourselves to get moving, especially after a long day at work or when the weather is uninviting.

Despite the challenge, incorporating regular exercise into our daily routine can significantly increase our happiness. It doesn’t have to be a strenuous workout at the gym. Even a brisk walk in the park or a short yoga session at home can make a difference.

So let’s lace up those sneakers and get moving. Your body and mind will thank you!

9) Self-compassion

At the heart of all these mindful habits lies one crucial component: self-compassion. It’s about treating yourself with the same kindness, love, and understanding you’d show a good friend.

We often judge ourselves harshly, focus on our flaws, and beat ourselves up over mistakes. But self-compassion is about accepting that we’re human, and it’s okay to be imperfect.

Practicing self-compassion can be a real challenge. It requires us to change the way we talk to ourselves and shift our mindset.

But once we learn to be kind to ourselves, we open the door to true happiness. Because at the end of the day, no amount of success, wealth, or accolades can make us happy if we don’t have compassion for ourselves.

The power of mindfulness

At the crux of these nine habits lies a powerful tool – mindfulness. Often overlooked, mindfulness holds the key to a happier, more fulfilled life.

Scientifically, mindfulness has been linked to increased gray matter in the brain, specifically in areas associated with memory, empathy, and stress regulation. In essence, mindfulness literally changes our brain for the better.

Each habit we’ve discussed involves being fully present and engaged in the task at hand. Whether it’s eating, exercising, or showing kindness, the magic lies in experiencing each moment fully.

Adopting these habits is not about striving for perfection. It’s about making small changes every day that add up over time. It’s about acknowledging our imperfections and still choosing to be kind to ourselves.

As you navigate through life, remember that happiness is a journey, not a destination. And mindfulness is the compass that will guide you on this journey. So breathe, be present, and embrace these mindful habits. Your future self will thank you.