Being in the Moment and Why it Matters

Mindfulness.  Presence.  Being in the moment.

All three of the above essentially mean the same thing – and practicing them can bring you more emotional and relationship health.  It’s a practice, a reconditioning and training of your mind that can be done in meditation – or in every day life simply bringing your attention to things you might normally miss.

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Some of the ways being “present” can help you:

• Manage stress
• Increase clarity and focus
• Take attention away from the future worry of anxiety
• Take attention away from the past sadness of depression
• Bring your attention to the beauty around you
• Build healthy communication in relationships
• Build stress resilience skills
• Decrease emotional reactivity
• Find inner peace

See the article, Mindfulness:  A Powerhouse of Benefits for Emotional Health, for more.

Ok, I’m sold.  How can I start practicing mindfulness right now? 

• Stop, close your eyes and breathe.  Notice your lungs fill and release.
• Notice something beautiful in your environment, that you may have never seen before.  Take time to admire it.
• Intentionally reflect on what’s going right in your life.
• Bite your tongue before you say something possibly hurtful.  Imagine how the person might feel.
• At your next meal, savor the food.  Notice the textures and flavors.
• Lay down on grass or a park bench.  Close your eyes and feel the sun, notice the sounds and smells.
• Tonight when you go to bed, think of 3 things that you are grateful for.
• The next time you are upset, before reacting, notice what’s really going on.  Practice self-compassion for yourself and the wounds you may carry.
• Practice your “human being” vs “human doing” skills.
• Take a social networking, e-mail and phone break.  Shut it all down for a few minutes.  Without the distraction, notice your surroundings.
• Play with your child with the same presence that he or she has.  Children have mindfulness down pat.

See my article, 5 Ways to Rewire Your Brain for Happiness and Peace of Mind inspired by a workshop by Rick Hanson, PhD.

Being “in the moment” doesn’t mean you have wrap yourself in a monk’s robe and go sit on a mountain for 30 days and 30 nights in silent meditation.  Sure, meditation is a powerful ally in practicing mindfulness (and can rewire your brain) but you can learn to be present in other ways too.

If you find yourself “noticing” more…congratulations.  This is mindfulness.