Living in the present, appreciating the moment that is happening right now. We often get distracted by worries, anger and other feelings that stop us from enjoying life as it happens. Living in the moment isn’t so difficult but we need to practise to achieve it.
But what does it mean to be present? How to learn to not let your feelings control your mind and be mindful of every feeling you’re experiencing? Read further to understand more about mindfulness and presence. And how it will start to make a change in your daily life.
What does Living in the Present mean
In its most simple way, being in the present means; you are here. That you are here for yourself and your loved ones. You need to have your body and mind in the same place, don’t let your mind play its tricks and take away the awareness of your mind and body. It also means that you pay attention to your surroundings, and others with compassion and no judgement.
Learning to understand our feelings, even the negative feelings to turn into positive thoughts. I learned this from the book “You Are Here” by Thich Nhat Hanh. All our feelings are organic and natural but the difference comes in how we treat those feelings. It just needs some daily practice.
Mindful living is nonviolent, non-judgement finding happiness through all organic feelings. Meaning hate and other negative feelings are part of it. But through mindfulness, we learn to transform it into something beautiful and joyful.
Benefits of Presence
Living in the present has many benefits and mindfulness helps with mental health. Fewer worries will allow us to be happy and enjoy life more profoundly. However, mindfulness will improve also other life skills, which may be indirectly boosting also our mental health at the same time.
1. Social Skills
Personally, I’m an extremely introverted person. At least I used to be, until now. I dreaded any social settings where I needed to be having small talk with people I didn’t know well. Right now I’m in a position I’m actually enjoying having conversations about all topics possible. Learning to let go of most of my worries has helped me to be more present with others. I’m not worrying about what to say next.
2. Appreciation of life
This is one of the benefits I am the most grateful. Learning to embrace your own journey in life, without any comparison to others. This happens so often we don’t even realise it, it will weigh down on us, even if we are not aware of it. When we learn to let go of these feelings, we can focus on things that matter at that moment.
Letting go of everything unnecessary, will help us to appreciate life in different ways, such as noticing the colours of nature, and the sounds and feeling the happiness and freedom, right there.
3. Less stress and overthinking
All those things listed above will ease the stress we have. Being better with people, we don’t need to worry about small things, that really doesn’t matter. Mindfulness and living in the present will ease stress and overthinking. Because we are happier, aware of things, and at peace with ourselves, which helps a lot to reduce the worries we get.
If you feel like you get easily stressed, when you feel the stress coming, take a deep breath and focus on your breath for a minute.
Morning Mindfulness practise
Mindfulness meditation in the morning will help to get a good, clear start for your day. This is a very similar practice to the one I just mentioned above. However, we keep doing this for 5 to 10 minutes to fully be aware of our bodies and breath.
Take a comfortable seat, you can sit on a comfortable cushion or chair, any place you prefer. Take a deep breath in and exhale. Say to yourself “Breath, I’m aware of my breath” Saying it to yourself, it helps to put the focus on your breath, and ease the wandering of your mind. Keep breathing in and out for a few minutes. After paying attention to your body, take another breath in and when exhaling, release the tension in your neck and other body parts that have some tension. Finish the practice with one more breath in and out and feel the presence of your body and mind.
Here are my other mindfulness posts you may have missed
https://tiiapietarinen.com/how-to-become-mindful/
https://tiiapietarinen.com/why-to-incorporate-mindfulness-into-your-life/
https://tiiapietarinen.com/self-care-routine-for-better-start-of-the-day-2023/
