Being present and conscious of what is happening in the moment has changed my life in the most amazing ways.
For a long time, I faced challenges with thoughts and feelings of worry and anxiety. When I became a mom, it almost amplified because I had a son who I just wanted to keep safe, protect, and spend every moment with.
I realized that these thoughts often took me away from the present, away from the special moments that were happening now, not in the past or the future.
I didn’t want to lose these moments because I was stuck thinking about things that have happened or things that could happen. I wanted to just enjoy life and appreciate what was right in front of me.
It wasn’t until I became aware of my consciousness and presence in the moment that I found this unexplainable sense of calmness and happiness. I started implementing mindfulness practices into my daily life and it soon became a way of living.
What Is Mindfulness?
The word “mindfulness” often refers to the state of being aware and present in the moment.
You are not thinking about the past or worrying about the future.
Your attention is focused on what you are feeling, thinking, and doing in the moment.
But, mindfulness also has to do with non-judgment. You are an observer of your feelings and thoughts and aren’t trying to decipher whether they are good or bad. You are just “being”.
In practicing mindfulness, you are truly accepting and experiencing the present moment.
Why Practice Mindfulness?
Being mindful in your daily life can change the way you feel, think, act, and interact with others.
Mindfulness can help a person find calmness and relief from stress and anxiety.
As parents, there can be times when we feel burnt out, tired, or overwhelmed. Being mindful can bring us back to the present moment, where we don’t have to think about the past or worry about the future.
Some of the major benefits of practicing mindfulness can include:
- Stress relief
- Reduced anxiety and depression
- Emotion regulation
- Self-awareness
- Compassion
- Improved relationships
- Decreased reactivity & unhealthy behaviors
- Improved quality of life
Mindfulness doesn’t have to be something you try to do from time to time. You can live a mindful life, as a person, parent, partner, all of it.
Being mindful can change the way you perceive and experience life and the world around you. It can help you practice gratitude and live your life present in every moment.
How To Be Mindful On A Daily Basis
Mindfulness can be practiced through meditation, but also during daily life as well.
Whether it be in moments alone, spending time with your children, or interacting with others.
Some common mindfulness practices that you can implement in your daily life can include:
- Breathing exercises
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Exercise
- Walking meditation
One of the most helpful tools that I use in my daily life is stopping at any moment of my day and taking in my surroundings.
Whether I am walking with my son, playing games, eating a meal together, etc., I stop for a moment and become more aware of the present moment. I look at everything around me, notice what I am touching, listen to the sounds around us, and take a second to slow down and appreciate the small things.
I have also tried to be more mindful of the things I do and say with my son. In times when he (or both of us) may be tired, frustrated, or just having a hard time, I give him my attention, and assurance, and try to help him process those big feelings.
Even when he was a baby, I would lay him on my chest as I would practice slow breathing, hoping to help him find calmness too.
It is completely normal to have big feelings, both parents and children. But learning how to be aware of these feelings and observe them can help us become more conscious, less reactive, and more appreciative of the Now.
