Intentionally Train Your Mind to Focus on the Present without Judgement
Often the state of our lives is concluded as the well-being of our mind, and if you lead a busy life, it is assumed your mind is equally as active. For some people, busy may be managing their home-based business, folding laundry, monitoring the children, listening to the radio while planning the upcoming weekend activities. For others, it could be coordinating several book launches, preparing for a webinar, and breaking ground on a new construction project, all at the same time. Either way, people can quickly become rushed when they have several tasks to accomplish. Being rushed can put us out of touch with the present moment – missing out on the present experiences and losing that connection with our feelings.
What is Mindfulness?
Practicing mindfulness has become popular in recent times. It is regarded as significantly beneficial to restoring focus and a sense of presence for persons who may be stressed, anxious, or even feeling distracted. According to mindful.org (October 2019), “Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us.”
Is Mindfulness for You?
If you are often zoned out, distracted, and anxious, you may want to begin your mindfulness practice. If you are not sure that mindfulness is for you, here are some signs that practicing mindfulness might benefit you. If:
- You tend to focus on negative emotions
- You struggle with stress and feelings of anxiety
- You rarely or never practice self-compassion
- You are distracted and struggle to concentrate.
Practicing Mindfulness
At its simplest, practicing mindfulness can be – pausing to sit, paying attention to breathing, and when attention wanders, consciously returning to the present. While the word mindfulness suggests that it is an activity of the mind, note that it is not only in the mind. You can achieve mindfulness by being more intentional and aware of what you do each day and choosing to take the time to perform daily mindful meditation activities.
Here are some ways that you can practice mindfulness meditation in your daily life, from verywellmind.com (June 2020):
Pay attention: Take the time to notice things in the world around you, including your feelings, senses, emotions, and thoughts. Focus on slowing down and enjoying the things you are experiencing.
Focus on the moment: Focus on the present moment and quieting your inner dialogue. Rather than reliving the past or worrying about the future, try to take in what is happening right before you. Being present in the moment can help you feel more mindful and aware.
Try mindfulness meditation: Regular practice of mindfulness meditation has benefits for your physical and mental health.
Learning to incorporate mindfulness in your daily life is not particularly easy since it may not be something you have practiced before. It will take time, practice, and patience to learn to slow down and live in the moment. Start by being intentional, focus on one task at a time, take breaks to be quiet, and be kind to yourself.
This article is the first of our two-part mindfulness series; next month, we will look at some practical activities you could do in your mindfulness mediation practice.
What are you doing in your mindfulness practice? Share with us; we would love to hear from you! Email: info@blackgreenandbold.com