Remaining present in our fast-paced world is a challenge. Practicing mindfulness can produce greater clarity, peace, and focus in our lives.
Establishing ways of engaging with simple daily practices, such as eating, commuting, or exercising, can enhance your mental health and bring you closer to living a full and meaningful life each and every day. In this article, we’ll outline practical ways to cultivate mindfulness in everyday activities and live in the present.
What is Mindfulness?
You’ve likely heard the word mindfulness before. The word has had a rise in the media and online, but can often be misstated or misrepresented. Most often, the definition and act of mindfulness are overcomplicated. Simply put, mindfulness is the act of paying attention and living in the present moment.
A good framework for mindfulness is considering it as awareness of one’s internal states and surroundings. It is a form of active awareness. When implemented effectively, mindfulness helps you break free from bad habits by teaching you to notice your thoughts, feelings, and what’s going on right now, without judgment, shame, or expectation.
How Does Mindfulness Impact Mental Health?
While mindfulness is not a cure-all, it is a highly effective tool for fostering wellness, awareness, and acceptance in daily life. Its core principles are most impactful when applied to the everyday activities, challenges, and stressors we all face.
A consistent mindfulness practice can offer significant mental health benefits, including reduction in anxiety and depressive symptoms.
By helping you shift your perspective, mindfulness can transform the way you interact with the world. One of the greatest threats to mental well-being is the disconnection between expectations and reality. Although mindfulness can’t change your circumstances, it can alter how you experience them.
How to Live in the Present
Learning how to practice mindfulness may seem daunting, but I promise it’s possible! In the beginning stages, people can be held back by self-criticism, a lack of support, or confused about what mindfulness is. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and become unsure of where to start. By building small everyday routines and practices into your life, you can start your mindfulness practice and begin living your life more in the present.
Curious about exploring mindfulness in therapy? Reach out to myTherapyNYC to find out which of our therapists would be a good fit for you!
How do you practice living in the present moment? Join the conversation in the comments below!
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