Happier Way Original –
One of the best ways to achieve—and maintain—emotional wellbeing is to get really good at staying present.
When you can keep your attention, your thoughts, and your focus on the here and now, you are better able to enjoy moments, feel gratitude, appreciate your achievements, get work done effectively, and express your creativity. In a state of true presence, you aren’t lost in worries or fears about the future, and you aren’t stuck in regrets or sadness about events that have long passed. Mindfulness keeps you in touch with the only thing you can really control: Right now—the present moment. Imagine the effect on your emotional wellbeing when you aren’t consumed by anxiety, sadness, guilt, hopelessness, or fear. Imagine the sense of freedom you can have when you aren’t weighed down by your past or by the future.
The here and now might sound like a magical land, far away from where you are right now. Maybe you’ve lost touch with enjoying and appreciating moments; maybe you find that you’re always focused on what is happening later, tomorrow, or a year from now. When chasing what’s next gets exhausting, your mind might revert back to what you wish you would have done yesterday, last week, or years ago. With time, your lack of presence can take a toll on your happiness, your relationships, your emotional wellbeing, and your quality of life.
Decades of research has shown the many benefits of mindfulness on not only emotional health, but physical health, too. In addition to decreasing stress, practicing mindfulness increases energy; strengthens the immune system; lowers blood pressure; improves memory and brain functioning; lifts your overall mood; prevents work-related burnout; and helps you sleep better. These effects impact people of all ages who practice mindfulness—even children.
There’s a mindfulness practice for everyone; whether you enjoy sitting cross-legged with your eyes closed or you prefer more active forms of increasing your here and now presence. Some excellent mindfulness practices to try include:
- Body scan or progressive muscle relaxation
- Walking Meditation
- Breath awareness
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Mindfulness in everyday tasks
- Mindful eating
Another great aspect of mindfulness is that it has no negative consequences or effects. Imagine a mind-body healing strategy that only provides you with greater inner strength, hope, and healing! Incorporate a little mindfulness in your everyday life and see how your emotional wellbeing transforms completely as you achieve your best health.