The Importance of Practicing Mindfulness

Remaining present is something that I have been striving to practice more regularly.

Remaining present is something that I have been striving to practice more regularly. Being mindful and focusing on the present can sound easy to do, but practicing mindfulness requires active steps. While reflecting on the past and thinking about the future are essential to a healthy life, it’s important to not spend too much time there.

It’s easy to become overwhelmed by future plans, and also get caught up in past memories. There is a lot of pressure in our society to have a plan for your future and to know what you want in life, when in reality, we are all just trying to figure it out the best we can. When we are constantly worrying about what’s next, or dwelling on what could have been, it adds stress to our lives—something we may not even realize.

Practicing Mindfulness

Being present-minded is the key to staying healthy and happy. It helps you fight anxiety, cut down on worrying, and keeps you grounded and connected to yourself and everything around you. Here are a few ways to help you remain present:

Ways To Practice Staying Present

Visualize your daily goals. If you have a large goal or something you want to accomplish, it can seem overwhelming or even unattainable. By identifying smaller steps to reach your goals, things seem easier to accomplish.
If you are feeling overwhelmed in a moment, focus on your breath and take some time to process your thoughts and emotions.
Use your senses to become aware of your surroundings and ground you.
Find activities that fuel your soul. This can include journaling, reading, painting, art expression, outside activities, yoga, or meditation. Find something that makes you happy and enjoy the moment.
Reflect daily and adjust your daily goals accordingly.

Things to Remember:

Don’t be too hard on yourself, it’s okay to not have all the answers.
Don’t compare your life and experiences to other peoples’. We are all on different journeys. No two are the same.

Sources:

https://positivepsychology.com/present-moment/#:~:text=Being%20present%20and%20exerting%20our,(Halliwell%2C%202017).