Consider this: How often do you catch your mind wandering while you are driving home from work or eating lunch and begin to think about: “What am I going to do this weekend? I should have picked up some groceries yesterday. What am I going to buy my best friend for her birthday?”

Our mind is always percolating with thoughts that are past or future oriented. For many of us, it might be pretty challenging to be able to just focus on the present without our mind wandering. In fact, studies show that this is a very common experience for many of us.

So, if we are either thinking about the past of the future, then we aren’t really here in the present.

So I’m sure you heard about Mindfulness

But what is it? Why does it matter? There are many ways people describe what mindfulness is. Below are just a handful of definitions. See which one resonates with you.

• The ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us
• To observe and label thoughts, feelings, sensations in the body in an objective manner
• The practice of purposely bringing one’s attention in the present moment without evaluation
• Focus on being intensely aware of what you’re sensing and feeling in the moment, without interpretation or judgement

According to the American Psychological Association, there is a growing body of research that shows benefits of mindfulness. The practice of mindfulness reduces stress, anxiety, rumination, and improves focus, working memory, self-regulation, relationship satisfaction, and immune functioning.

We can see that there are so many benefits that can come from the practice of mindfulness. According to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, being able to recognize and experience our present moment is so important. The present moment is the only time we can consciously and intentionally bring about change.

How Mindfulness teaches us to be in the present and why this is important

The present moment is the only time we can change behavior, right now is the only time you can do something different.

Read that again. And again.

Think about how mind-blowing that is. Now you see how powerful mindfulness can really be?

When we are able to be fully present and aware of what we’re doing, we can change. If our mind is constantly wandering into the past or future, we are missing out on being here. We are missing out on being able to do something right now in the present moment.

Have you ever thought to yourself, “I want to stop being hard on myself”. Or thought, “I don’t want to get angry at my partner like this anymore”. If we want to change things about ourself, we need to be aware of it in the first place! It is up to us in the present moment to do something different. This is why mindfulness is so important. Mindfulness trains our brain to direct ourselves to the present moment so we can change.

Mindfulness practice is able to takes us to the present moment. By being in the present moment, we can change. We can change our feelings, our thoughts, and behaviors. We can choose how we want to move forward because we are mindfully aware.

Interested in Mindfulness and want to start today?