So often in life we are busy thinking about what we need to do or worry about what will happen in the future or we are busy thinking about things that have already happened. How often do you think you are thinking about the moment you are currently living? This moment right here, right now. Because that is where life is lived.
What is Mindfulness?
What is mindfulness? Mindfulness is the practice of living in the moment and resisting the pull to other times and other places. Mindfulness is about tuning in. Where are you as you read this? Are you reading this on your phone at home? Or are you at your desk reading this on your computer? Maybe you are waiting in line somewhere reading this to pass the time. Wherever you are, let’s use our five senses to tune in to this moment.
What do you see around you?
Maybe there are people around you. Or furniture.
What do you hear?
Maybe there are people talking or music playing.
What do you smell?
Maybe there is a smell of food or an air freshener.
What do you feel?
Maybe you are sitting and feel the contact with the chair or feel the ground beneath your feet. Maybe its hot where you are, or maybe its cold.
What do you taste?
Maybe you still have the taste in your mouth from you last meal. Or from the coffee you are drinking.
Mindfulness as a Natural Remedy for Anxiety
This is mindfulness. And practicing mindfulness can be very helpful with managing stress and anxiety. Why? Because anxiety holds all of its power in the fear of the unknown, the fear of future. But we aren’t living in the future, we are living this moment here. And when we slow down to think about it, we often find that this moment really isn’t all that bad.
Anxiety Relief in Charlotte, NC
Theresa Leskowat MS LCMHC is a mental health therapist and trained yoga teacher in Charlotte, NC. Theresa provides Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as a natural anxiety relief and stress management. Theresa also provides counseling for managing perfectionism and divorce recovery.