Are you fully aware of the present moment? Can you experience the moment without thinking and drifting off to the future or the past?
Unfortunately, we often have to answer no. Because it requires conscious training.
The ability to be fully present in the moment helps us reduce stress, improves our concentration, and can even make us happier and more content. Mindfulness means having an increased awareness of sensory stimuli (perception of breathing, feeling bodily sensations, etc.) and being in the here and now. (Source:) Mindfulness can enable you to focus on what you have and appreciate it, rather than taking it for granted, thus fostering a sense of gratitude.
Since mindfulness is not easy to achieve if you are not used to it, there are various meditation and mindfulness trainings that accompany you and help you achieve more calmness and less stress. The goal is to integrate this awareness into your daily life and to be able to draw on it at any time. Living mindfully means living in the moment and reflecting on the present. It does not dwell in the past or expect the future. Being mindful means objectively observing and naming thoughts, feelings, and sensations in the body, completely without judgment. Therefore, mindfulness can be a tool to avoid self-criticism and to recognize and cope with difficult emotions. (Source:)
The perception of time is usually subjective and strongly influenced by one's emotional state. Fears and uncertainties regarding the past and the future can make it difficult to fully appreciate the present. The key is to learn to be attentive. (Source:) This way, we can set aside uncertainties and recharge our energy, a source that can improve our daily lives. Mindfulness training grounds us and calms the thoughts. Cultivating mindfulness can help us be in the present moment throughout the day. Even when starting the day, you can focus on your breathing and how the body slowly gathers energy. You can incorporate short meditation breaks into your workday. During meals, focus exclusively on the experience of eating and enjoy it, completely without distracting interruptions from phones or other disturbances.
Many studies prove that mindfulness-based interventions can help manage anxiety and depression. Therefore, mindfulness is often used in certain forms of therapy. Mindfulness training helps in better dealing with negative emotions, better sleep, and an overall improved quality of life. In a constantly changing world, where more and more information, news, and changes bombard us daily, it is more important than ever to develop and maintain regular awareness-based practices that promote alertness, compassion, and gratitude.
