A virtue to practise

Mindful

Being mindful means paying full attention to what is happening right now, gently and without judging it.

What being mindful means

Our minds often race ahead to tomorrow or replay yesterday. Being mindful brings you back to now: what you can see, hear and feel, and what you are doing. It helps you calm down, notice your feelings before they take over, and really be there for the people you are with.

How to practise being mindful

1. Take one minute to notice five things you can see and three things you can hear.
2. Eat a snack slowly, paying attention to its taste and texture.
3. When you talk with someone, put your phone and other distractions away.
4. Before you react, notice what you are feeling in your body.

Want a new virtue to practise each morning? Start with Virtue of the Day.