Do you sometimes drive somewhere and when you arrive you don’t remember driving there? Your mind was thinking ahead to your plans for the weekend, or what to cook for dinner, or you were replaying an argument you had with your partner. You had simply driven to your destination on autopilot.
Happens all the time when we’re not living in the now. I call that distracted living.
The danger of course with distracted living is that you’re missing out on what’s happening in the moment, which is after all the only thing you have any control over.
Aside from the obvious risks of driving while being preoccupied, is that you’re really robbing yourself of the joy of being. And when that happens, you can drift in and out of feelings of regret for the past or worry about the future. Again, nothing we have any control over.
The only things we have control of are the thoughts we have at this very moment and for me that is one of the best arguments for mindfulness.
For me, it’s about being uber aware of what’s happening in the moment – what I’m thinking, what I’m observing, and how I’m feeling. To do that without judgement, but from a vantage point of awareness is the challenge and the practice.
There are several ways to practice present moment awareness or mindfulness and I’ll cover some of these in future blog posts. But in today’s post I want to share some of the key benefits that science has uncovered about mindfulness:
- Decrease in inflammation and pain
- Reduction in heart-related issues
- Improved sleep
- Improved immune system
- Aids weight loss
- Improved cognitive ability
- Lessens memory loss
- Decreased depression
- Less anxiety
- Balanced emotions
- Deepens spiritual connection
Lots of good reasons to practice mindfulness and present moment awareness. And I hope you’ve enjoyed this present moment together!
Love from your Joy Mama
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Yes Gloria I totally agree it is not a good place to be in especially in these past wonderful weeks when the colours have been so beautiful, I really resent wasting time on worrying and not enjoying!;uwrxx
Yes, worry only brings more worry! xoxo Gloria