Living in the present is something as basic for human happiness as it is complex. If you stop to think, we always have our sights set on the past or the future, but never on the present, and this makes us worry about things that either don’t exist or are beyond our control. Doing this is a defence mechanism of our brain, which tries to escape from uncomfortable situations. To prevent you from doing this unconsciously, we invite you to read this post on mindfulness.
If you want to delve into the study of emotional well-being and the complex world of self-realization, stay on the Educa.Pro blog, where we will talk about the five most important benefits of mindfulness and many other related topics.
What is mindfulness?
Human beings have always been concerned with the search for happiness, as if that were a goal that, after much effort, we deserve to achieve. Or at least, that’s what religion, whatever it is, has always tried to instill: sacrifice yourself now to live fully in the afterlife. But of course, when does that promised “beyond” or “eternal life” arrive? Nobody knows.
On the other hand, the industrial society has also promulgated this mantra since industrialization, putting productivity before the happiness of people and forming a vicious circle from which we are not able to get out. In summary: we suffer in the present to be happy tomorrow, but when we realize that the results do not always come when we expect or in the way we expect, we realize that the past times were better anyway. . So what do we have left? If the past no longer exists and hope has vanished… living in the present is the answer; And this is exactly what mindfulness consists of.
However, if what you need is a definition that fully explains what mindfulness is, it could be said that it is the practice of paying full attention to the present moment , without judging it or evaluating future consequences. For this, the person who practices mindfulness focuses on feeling their emotions, bodily sensations and on the stimulation of the senses caused by the environment. The main objective is to enjoy the present, value every detail and transform the concept of happiness into a path, not a final destination.
Know the 5 benefits of mindfulness and learn to value your present
The phrase “living in the present” is loaded with clichés, but it is very necessary to become aware of how important it is to see the daily routine as a field of possibilities in which we are the ones who decide, instead of behaving like automata guided by endless task lists.
After learning about the advantages of embracing mindfulness, you will begin to see your days differently:
- Reduces stress : Mindfulness is recognized for its effectiveness in reducing stress. By focusing our attention on the present moment and accepting experiences without judging them, we can cultivate a more positive and serene attitude.
- Enhanced Emotional Well-Being – Practicing mindfulness can increase our ability to regulate emotions and develop greater emotional awareness. It helps us observe our thoughts and feelings without fully identifying with them, which can lead to greater emotional stability and an improvement in general mood.
- Increases concentration – By training the mind to be present in the present moment, mindfulness strengthens our ability to concentrate and focus. This is beneficial both in the academic field and in daily life, allowing us to perform tasks with greater efficiency and precision.
- Improve interpersonal relationships : by practicing mindfulness, we develop greater attention and active listening towards others. This allows us to establish deeper and more meaningful connections with the people around us, improving our communication skills and empathy.
- Fosters Resilience – Mindfulness helps us cultivate an attitude of acceptance and compassion toward ourselves and others. This strengthens our emotional resilience , allowing us to face life’s challenges with greater calm and adaptability.
Why do we humans dwell on the past and worry about the future?
If you want to go beyond the 5 benefits that mindfulness brings us, you should know that there are many answers to the question of why we are unable to live in the present. Some are based on philosophical currents and others are based on personal experience, but from the point of view of psychology, these are the reasons why we always keep our eyes on the past or the future.
We are cognitive in nature : we are programmed to learn from the past and project this knowledge into the future, and so far so good, but sometimes this is what prevents us from enjoying the present. Our brain wants us to anticipate the future to avoid risks, but of course, most of the time, this causes us anxiety.
We need to know who we are: to do this, we use memories that define us and help us build our image based on past experiences. However, isolated facts do not define you and you should focus on thinking about who you want to be because it is you who must take control of your identity.
Emotional attachment : Our emotions and emotional ties are closely related to the past and the future. We hold on to positive past experiences as they provide us with a sense of joy and satisfaction. On the other hand, negative experiences can lead to worries and fears about the future.
Need for control and security : quite simply, this is related to the survival instinct. We worry about the future because we long for a sense of control and security in our lives.
As you can see, the benefits of mindfulness can change your vision of life, but for this, you will have to work on it daily in all kinds of contexts. Follow the Educa.Pro blog and learn all about personal and professional development!