By Naseerah Nanabhai
31:08:2022

Often, we find ourselves thinking about what will happen a few days, months, or even years from now. We may even ponder over incidents that happened previously. These tendencies are categorised as unmindful behaviours and are commonly known as not living in the present.

Mindfulness, on the other hand, is the practice of living in the present moment. It includes being aware of where you are and what you are doing without being overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s happening around you – it is essentially embracing the gift of the present.

Mindfulness allows you to live a life wholly by making it easier to savour the moment. By fully engaging in activities, there is a greater capacity to deal with adverse events. Additionally, focusing on the here and now makes people less likely to get caught up in worries about the future or regrets about the past.

While mindfulness may sound like a difficult practice to achieve, it is incredibly easy. It includes mental exercises, breathing exercises, mindful movement, and general concentrated tasks. Typically, it would include present moment awareness to reduce thoughts of the past and future.

Studies reveal that people who focus on seeking pleasure in the moment are happier than those focused on the past. By taking the time to notice and value the small things and enjoy life’s simple pleasures, you will find yourself more content and often more productive.