1. The Walnut Exercise
In this exercise, which is great for beginners, that you can practice at home. Ask yourself these few questions by describing and observing these things:
The way the walnut looks
How it feels
How their skin responds to its manipulation
Its smell
Its taste
Focusing on the single object of the walnut is meant to bring the your mind to the present, to what is right in front of you.
2. Shower Exercise
In this exercise, prepare a shower, and rather than jumping in and doing your typical routine stop and think.
- Instead of asking your hair first, wash your face instead or instead of shaving last, shave first
Notice how that feels, what the water and soap feel and smell like, can you taste anything, notice was the water and soap looks like on your body and in the shower.
3. Five Senses Exercise
All that is needed is to notice something you are experiencing with each of the five senses.
Follow this order of the practice
Notice five things that you can see.
Look around you and bring your attention to five things that you can see. Pick something that you don’t normally notice, like a shadow or a small crack in the concrete.
Notice four things that you can feel.
Bring awareness to four things that you are currently feeling, like the texture of your pants, the feeling of the breeze on your skin, or the smooth surface of a table you are resting your hands on.
Notice three things you can hear.
Take a moment to listen, and note three things that you hear in the background. This can be the chirp of a bird, the hum of the refrigerator, or the faint sounds of traffic from a nearby road.
Notice two things you can smell.
Bring your awareness to smells that you usually filter out, whether they’re pleasant or unpleasant. Perhaps the breeze is carrying a whiff of pine trees if you’re outside, or the smell of a fast food restaurant across the street.
Notice one thing you can taste.
Focus on one thing that you can taste right now, in this moment. You can take a sip of a drink, chew a piece of gum, eat something, or just notice the current taste in your mouth or open your mouth to search the air for a taste.
After you've practiced these journal or meditate afterwards and see if you go through out your day with more awareness.