We live in a world full of demands. And if you’re anything like me, you may realize that one of the results of living in such a busy world is that your mind almost always has 4 or 5 tabs open at a time. We can be thinking about the task we’re currently working on, then get distracted by the list of groceries we need to pick up on the way home- only for that thought to be interrupted by this, that or the other… Our minds can be constantly switching between tabs all day long. To some, what I described may just sound like multi-tasking, or maybe even just the natural way our brains work. But if we’re constantly switching between trains of thought, how much time are we actually spending in the moment, fully aware of where we are and what we’re doing? It honestly may result to very little. And while that may not sound like such a big deal, that constantly running, constantly switching train of thought can contribute to things like anxiety and mental exhaustion.
It’s important to be able to shut it all down sometimes, and just be in the moment. Just be where you are, and devote yourself wholly to what you’re doing in thisvery moment- not projecting to the future, or ruminating on the past. Calling your attention to the present moment is one aspect of Mindfulness- which is a practice that has myriad benefits, and can help us become more calm and focused, and less reactive. Mindfulness techniques are something we can integrate into our days at any time, and they can be as simple as just becoming aware of and focusing only on our breath going in-and-out for awhile, or focusing on just one of your senses for several moments- not making judgments about anything, just noticing it all. Taking little moments like this throughout the day is a simple way to bring more peace and awareness into our lives, and can even be the beginnings of a more Mindful lifestyle! So the next time you notice your mind going a mile a minute, take some time and just be in the moment, and be open to what Mindfulness can do for you!
