You have probably heard that it’s incredibly healthy to try to get some mindfulness into every day. Mindfulness is wonderful for physical and mental health, can increase your brain power and focus, and is also a lovely, simple form of self-care.
But knowing that you should be including a mindful practice in your daily routine may not be as simple as it sounds, right? I mean, who has time for that?
A good place to start - Guided mindfulness apps
You can set structured times every day for guided mindfulness – there are some great apps for this including Smiling Mind, Calm, and Mindfulness. Using an app like these, you just set one or two regular times aside every day for mindfulness, turn on the app and follow what it says.
This works really well first thing in the morning or last thing at night before sleep, in the car on the way to get groceries, or while walking around the block.
I totally get that life is busy and unpredictable, and even committing to a set time every day to listen to the app might be expecting a bit much. We can all have the best of intentions, but if your plan for mindfulness practice just isn’t achievable then it won’t happen.
Let’s start with something even easier – something that it’s likely you already do every day – having a cup of tea.
You can very simply turn one of your cups of tea into a mini mindfulness session, and it won’t take any longer than you would’ve spent drinking it anyway.
Tea and Mindfulness
Mindfulness doesn’t have to be about adding extra things into your already hectic day. It is about being totally present in the moment when you are doing something, and you can do this with activities that are already a part of your day like eating, driving, doing the dishes or having a much-needed cuppa.
Being mindful in the moment means quieting your brain, and paying attention to observing your thoughts, senses, and experience of the world right at this time. You actively try to draw your mind away from worrying about other things or planning for the next task of your day and just focus on right now.
Not only delicious, luxurious and nurturing, but tea is also really healthy for you as well – so it makes perfect sense to turn having a simple cup of tea as a gorgeous mindfulness practice.
Getting started
Loose leaf tea is the best for mindfulness. Not only does it taste and smell far better than bagged tea, but it is also better for the environment as well. The extra steps taken to make leaf tea is perfect for a mindful moment.
Choose the time (or times) of day that you would most benefit from a mindful cup of tea. It might be first thing in the morning before anyone else is up, to help you set your mind for the day ahead. It might be mid-afternoon to recharge your batteries and refocus your brain, or just before bed to help you process your thoughts and wind down from the day.
You will need a small teapot or a tea infuser, and your favourite cup and saucer or that big comfy mug that fits perfectly in your hands. Choose special items, as this is a special moment.
Choose your selected blend of tea. This is a good excuse to explore new varieties that you haven’t tried before as you will be concentrating fully on your sensory experience. (Ok, now I’m going to have to go and make a pot of tea to enjoy while finishing this article…)
There are many different elements to focus on as you make tea mindfully, but here’s what I’ve found helpful in my tea & mindfulness practice:
Listen to the rush of water as you fill the kettle (then don’t forget to turn it on!)
Add the required amount of loose leaf tea to your teapot or infuser. Focus on the scent and the colour, and the mix of botanicals if it’s a blend
Take some steady breaths as the kettle boils.
As you pour the hot water over your tea, watch the steam rise and the water swirl. Notice the changes. The colour of the water deepens, the tea leaves expand. Does the aroma of your tea change?
Settle yourself comfortably to drink your tea. Feel the warmth and curve of your cup. Is it silky or matte, textured or smooth?
Enjoy the taste and the aroma of each sip. Perhaps let it sit on your tongue for a moment and pick out the flavours.
As you sit and drink, consider the feelings that your cup of tea is invoking. Are you feeling calmer, more relaxed, more energised?
Notice how all the different sensory feelings in your body are generated to enjoy and truly experience the tea? Focusing one at a time on each of the senses is what makes the practice mindful – bringing your thoughts from the past or future or wherever else they want to go, and into this moment in time.
It isn’t necessary but you can totally add a cookie or a couple of squares of chocolate to the experience, and enjoy these mindfully as well.
And that’s It
I have found this simple mindfulness practice so helpful, particularly in the past month or so. It has helped me to focus on the here-and-now, rather than worrying helplessly about the future, and has also helped me to appreciate my tea collection more than ever! Please feel free to experiment and adapt to suit your needs.
PS. If you’d like to find some new teas to try as you explore mindfulness, why not pick up a couple of mystery samples while you’re here?