Mindfulness For Dummies, 3rd Edition



Chapter 3

Making Mindfulness a Daily Habit

IN THIS CHAPTER

Discovering and setting your intentions clearly

Developing the skill of mindful habits

Turning small actions into long-term change

One of the best ways of boosting your capacity to be mindful is to practise mindfulness every day. Establishing a daily habit of mindfulness isn’t always easy, but it’s well worth the effort. With a clear understanding of how behaviour change works, you can engage in practising mindfulness regularly. Once the habit of daily mindfulness is created, the routine becomes as natural as having a shower – you now have a way of training and ‘cleansing’ your mind every day, not just your body.

This chapter explores how best to change your behaviour effectively, discover the science of habits, find out what your intentions of mindfulness are and how to develop a long-term daily mindfulness practise.

Discovering the Secret to Change

Every year millions of people make new year resolutions. ‘I will go to the gym several times a week.’ ‘I’ll stop eating chocolate cake.’ And you'll even hear ‘I’ll practise mindfulness every day this year.’ And yet within just ...