The Art of Now: Six Steps to Living in the Moment
A friend of mine shared this great article in Psychology Today by Jay Dixit. It is a long article so if you don’t have time to read the whole thing check out some of the highlights below:
“Cultivating a nonjudgmental awareness of the present bestows a host of benefits. Mindfulness reduces stress, boosts immune functioning, reduces chronic pain, lowers blood pressure, and helps patients cope with cancer. By alleviating stress, spending a few minutes a day actively focusing on living in the moment reduces the risk of heart disease.”
“Mindful people are happier, more exuberant, more empathetic, and more secure. They have higher self-esteem and are more accepting of their own weaknesses. Anchoring awareness in the here and now reduces the kinds of impulsivity and reactivity that underlie depression, binge eating, and attention problems.”
“Living in the moment involves a profound paradox: You can't pursue it for its benefits. That's because the expectation of reward launches a future-oriented mindset, which subverts the entire process. Instead, you just have to trust that the rewards will come. There are many paths to mindfulness—and at the core of each is a paradox. Ironically, letting go of what you want is the only way to get it.”
What are the six steps Mr. Dixit cites in the article?
To improve your performance, stop thinking about it (unselfconsciousness)
To avoid worrying about the future, focus on the present (savoring)
If you want a future with your significant other, inhabit the present (breathe)
To make the most of time, lost track of it (flow)
If something is bothering you, move toward it rather than away from it (acceptance)
Know that you don’t know (engagement)
There are lots of other great ideas and information in the article so check it out - https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/200811/the-art-now-six-steps-living-in-the-moment