Mindfulness, minus meditation

Practicing mindfulness has a wide range of physical, mental and social benefits, and you don’t have to meditate in the lotus position to receive them (although that’s one way). Here are some simple tips for cultivating the mindset that the little moments in life—all of them—really matter:

• Pay close attention to your breathing, especially when you’re feeling intense emotions.

• Free yourself from negative thought patterns by recognizing that feelings and thoughts are fleeting and do not define you.

• Tune into physical sensations, from the feeling of sunshine on your skin to the way your body rests in a reclining chair. Embrace the sights, smells and sounds that ordinarily pass without reaching your conscious awareness.

Source: UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center