Can
Living in the Moment Improve Your Health?
“Enjoy every moment. Life is short.” Trying to
enjoy each moment may actually be good for your health.
The
idea called Mindfulness is about being completely aware of what’s happening in
the present—of all that’s going on inside and all that’s happening around you.
It means not living your life on “autopilot.” Instead, you experience life as
it unfolds moment to moment, good and bad, and without judgment or preconceived
notions.
Finding
time for mindfulness in our culture, however, can be a challenge. We tend to
place great value on how much we can do at once and how fast. Still, being more
mindful is within anyone’s reach.
Many
people who practice mindfulness report an increased ability to relax, a greater
enthusiasm for life and improved self-esteem. A major benefit of mindfulness is
that it encourages you to pay attention to your thoughts, your actions and your
body. It is so common for people to watch TV and eat snack food out of the box
without really attending to how much they are eating. “With mindful eating, you
eat when you’re hungry, focus on each bite, enjoy your food more and stop when
you’re full.”
You
can practice mindfulness throughout the day, even while answering e-mails,
sitting in traffic or waiting in line. All you have to do is become more
aware—of your breath, of your feet on the ground, of your fingers typing, of
the people and voices around you. All of these add up and start to create a
more mindful, healthy life.
Being
Mindful
The
concept of mindfulness is simple, but becoming a more mindful person requires
commitment and practice. Here are some tips to help you get started:
- Take some deep breaths. Breathe in through your nose to a count of 4, hold for
1 second and then exhale through the mouth to a count of 5. Repeat often.
- Enjoy a stroll. As you walk, notice your breath and the sights and
sounds around you. As thoughts and worries enter your mind, note them but
then return to the present.
- Practice mindful eating. Be aware of taste, textures and flavors in each bite,
and listen to your body when you are hungry and full.
- Find mindfulness resources in
your local community,
including yoga and meditation classes, mindfulness-based stress reduction
programs and books.
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