Often when we are going about our daily lives we are not paying attention to what we are actually doing. How many times have you driven to work, or to the supermarket and completely forgotten how you actually got there? The journey was a blur as our mind wandered elsewhere. In these cases we often find ourselves thinking ahead about all of the things that we need to do, and these thoughts can become overwhelming and stressful. In this case we are living in auto- pilot and struggling to remain present in the moment.
When we forever think about the next thing on our list, or fill our free time and headspace with another job, we are never truly able to be fully present, live intuitively or completely wind down to relax. Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way, on purpose and in the present moment.
Sometimes, it can be very difficult to prevent these stressful, overwhelming thoughts from entering our mind, so instead, we can try to focus on minimising the amount of attention we give them.
Although it’s not easy, by bringing our focus back to the present moment and what is actually going on in our current experience, it makes it easier to shift our attention away from dwelling on the past, or worrying about the future. This can reduce stress and create an increased ability to focus what we are doing in the ‘here and now’.
There are lots of different things we can do to encourage a more mindful outlook, which could help us to practice remaining present in the moment, including:
- Meditation / Breath work
- Movement
- Getting into nature
- Journaling
- Screen free time
However we can also practice mindfulness in our more usual, daily activities, eg.
- During meal times
- Whilst washing up
- As we spend time with family/friends
- Whilst listening to music
It is natural for our mind to wander, however when this is the case, a way we can gently bring our focus back is to tune in to our senses. By considering what we can see when we’re out for a walk, what we can taste whilst eating a meal or how the bubbles feel on our hands as we wash the dishes, we are bringing ourselves back to the here and now.
Working towards a more mindful outlook can help us to be present in our relationships, have a deeper understanding of how we are feeling, as well as support us to make more conscious decisions. This week, if stressful thoughts arise, try to bring it back to the present moment. Focus your energy on the immediate and ‘If tomorrow feels overwhelming, try your best to stay in today.’ A Peace of Werk
Holistic Health Coach - Anna Whyte
The ‘Wellness with Anna’ philosophy focuses on taking a more balanced and holistic approach to health. Often, the tools needed to make a lasting change are already in your toolbox. I offer client led guidance in order to support the progress of an individual working to meet their personal wellness goals. I will not diagnose, treat or take responsibility for bringing about wellness change, but direct, listen and support development.
We work together on a journey to make health a main priority, both physically and mentally.