A Simple Method for Mindfulness When Things Get Tough

Let it R.A.I.N.

I think we can all agree that mindfulness is beneficial. Being mindful helps you listen better, eat less, prevent aches and pains, and numerous other benefits.

Being mindful tends to be easy when you’re feeling good. When you’re productive, crushing it, or relaxed and confident, mindfulness tends to come easy. The challenge is being mindful when you’re uncomfortable, anxious, angry, bored, or any other emotions that we usually perceive as negative.

Not long ago, I stumbled across a very simple and easy to remember method for staying mindful — especially when things take a decidedly negative turn. It’s as simple as R.A.I.N.

You may have heard about it before — it’s been around for a while. But below is my take on it — how I try to apply it. It works for me. My hope is that it works for you as well.

Recognize

• Recognize what you are feeling or thinking. Is it familiar, or is it new? What is it exactly?
• Give it a name. Naming how you’re feeling has been shown to help in gaining a better understanding of and acceptance of emotions. You can apply this to a mood, an emotion, or a thought. It will act as a shortcut in the future, when the same thing pops up again.