Basic mindfulness exercises put you in a state of awareness where distractions are let go, and your mind power is able to function more effectively. They help you think more clearly and concentrate better. They are also easy exercises to do.

More Mind Power in Minutes

A basic mindfulness exercise starts with sitting down, relaxing and breathing deeply through your nose. Close your eyes and be aware of your breath going in and out. After a minute, move your attention to your body, one part at a time, noting sensations of cold, hot, tight, sore and anything else you identify. In a few minutes, start listening to sounds in the room, without thinking about them. Just listen.

When it feels right, open your eyes and look around as if you are seeing for the first time. Rest your eyes on an object for half a minute, examining it without talking about it in your mind. Then move to another object, and another, while still maintaining an awareness of your body, your breathing, and any sounds. Stay in this state of mindfulness until you are ready to get up.

Being aware of your body, breath and immediate enviroment, puts you more fully "in the moment." Your mind is in a very receptive state, with fewer mental distractions that prevent clear thinking. Doing a mindfulness exercise before important mental tasks will give you greater mind power, specifically more focus and concentration.

An Even Easier Mindfulness Trick

Try this one today: When you feel stressed, stop, and carefully watch yourself to identify what"s bothering you. Maybe you"re expecting something bad to happen, or an argument is going on just below the surface of your consciousness, or you"re worried about something, or in pain in some way. Make a note of everything you find.

Then deal with these mind-irritants. Make a phone call that"s on your mind, take an aspirin, apologise to whomever you were fighting with. Write things on tomorrow"s list, to get them off your mind. If there"s nothing you can do right now, tell yourself that. Do this exercise, and you"ll feel less stressed, and more able to concentrate on the tasks at hand. You"ll have more mind power today.