Becoming more mindful is among the greatest abilities a person can have, it helps reduce stress, anxiety and worry. Also, it allows the mindful person to enjoy the fullness of the present moment without thoughts of past or concerns of the future which is beautiful and fulfilling.

In order to become more mindful, you must train your mind on a consistent basis. Here are some of the techniques that improve mindfulness that you can work with to help with this area.

• Body scan meditation – This is an exercise that involves scanning your whole body from the top of your head to the toes of your feet through your mind. You go slowly from one part of the body to the other as you take note of the sensations, thoughts and feelings that arise with each part. Also, noting the discomfort and negative emotions with the body parts is essential as it helps you know yourself better.

• Visualization – This is another exercise that is based on creating mental images of things we interact with on a frequent basis. For you to use visualization to improve your level of mindfulness, you should think about the aspects of life that exist in the natural world but can’t be seen in the physical world. Positive things like love, passion, positivity and such. They not only help you know these virtues better but also helps you become more relaxed, calm and wakeful.

• Taking note – This technique is also known as “labeling”. It is where you take note or label a feeling, sensation or thought that appears when you are meditating. When you lose focus, your mind drifts off to other things outside of your practice. And once you become aware of the drift, you say in your mind “That is a thought”. Also, when you have feelings or sensations while in your practice, you say “that is a feeling” or “that is a sensation” and then redirect your mind to your practice and keep meditating. This helps to create the mental space you need and enhances your awareness too.

• Reflection – This is somewhat similar to the normal act of reflecting but it comes with a slight twist. Instead of thinking intensely about something, you will only need to ask yourself a question in the second person and then observe yourself. By observing yourself when a question is raised, you get to become aware of your thoughts, sensations and feelings about that topic. This raises your awareness. An example of a question you can use with this technique is, “What inspires you the most about life?”

• Loving kindness meditation – This is a type of meditation that is based on training people to become kinder, generous and more genuinely loving to others. As you meditate, it helps you get into a deep state of relaxation as well as awareness as you make good wishes to yourself, your closest friends and family  not to mention those you don’t really get along with.

• Resting awareness – This is perhaps the easiest and most interesting way to hike your level of mindfulness. It does not require any physical effort, just as the name hints. You only get a place and rest. You should not think about anything or do anything. Just simply relax and then observe yourself while you are in this state of rest. You will find that you will get thoughts coming up. Let them rise and go on their own as you focus on your feelings and sensations.

• Walking meditation – This meditation style is mainly about meditating while you walk. But it is much deeper than it seems. You will be walking in a quiet place that is spacious while observing your sensations and feelings as you move. With every step, try to take note of how you feel. Also be aware of how you move and the thoughts and feelings that come with doing that. Be aware of your inner self as you move, without making any judgments or having any opinions.

These are powerful techniques that will really go a long way for you as far as boosting your mindfulness level is concerned. You only need to pick 2 or 3 methods that you feel can work well with you and put them into practice. Ensure you do them regularly as that is how you are going to make progress and become more aware.