Do you spend your time thinking about the past, present, or future?
Research shows that living in the present moment can improve your life immensely, including your mental health. However, it’s a sad fact that most of us don’t. Instead, we ruminate about the past or look toward the future.
But past and future mindsets rob us of the moment happening right now.
How can you expect to improve or enjoy your life if you’re not present for it?
I know that living in the moment — being mindful — is more complicated than it sounds. And, of course, we do need to plan for the future and sometimes revisit the past. We need to be careful not to spend too much time doing either.
If you have anxiety or depression, staying grounded in the present helps keep your outlook more positive.
Looking backward can bring up past failures, and anticipating the future may paint an overly bright or dark picture, depending on your mood.
Take a moment to check in with your senses when you feel yourself slipping away from the present. What do you see, hear, smell, feel, or taste? That’s an excellent way to bring yourself back here and now.
Be sure to praise yourself for noticing when you are caught up in any place but the present.
Remind yourself that the past is behind you and you are working right now to make things better.
This post was created with Typeshare