We're constantly surrounded by distractions, making it difficult to focus on just one thing at a time. Stress, anxiety, and regret can also make it difficult to focus on the present moment.
We're not always in the present moment because we're often thinking about the past or planning for the future. But we can choose to be in the present moment by paying attention to what's happening around us and focusing on what we're doing in this moment.
So try sitting and focusing on anything you choose—the breath; a short mantra, either in your head or aloud; the sounds in the room or outside. Every time your mind wanders (which it will, because that's what it does), simply note that, and bring it back to what you were focusing on.
There's a lot of uncertainty in the present: rejection, the possibility of natural disasters. Even if none of those outcomes occur and we “edit out” those moments from the present, that anxiety gets shifted to the next moment. 3) Our minds wander.
We spend so much of our time thinking about what we didn't get done yesterday – or what we need to do tomorrow – that we lose sight of today. As a result, we're very rarely fully present in our lives. One of the biggest reasons we don't live in the present is because we never shut up. We constantly talk to ourselves.
Nervousness, being easily distracted, lack of focus, patience or self-compassion are some signs of a lack of mindfulness. Nowadays we are attracted by so many stimuli that our ability to focus and keep still is diminished. We feel the need to constantly entertain ourselves and keep busy.
The reason most meditators and practitioners of mindfulness struggle is because they have a faulty assumption about the central objective of the entire endeavor. Specifically, they believe that it's all about slowing down or even stopping their thoughts, which, if done successfully will produce sublime inner calm.
If your mind is wandering a lot, give yourself permission to take a few minutes off to see where it wants to go. Take five and let your thoughts go wherever they will. And if mind-wandering is a recurring problem for you, try scheduling a regular time of day to give your thoughts free rein.
While it can be challenging to shift your focus away from painful memories, there are strategies that you can use to help make this process more manageable. Self-reflection exercises, setting healthy boundaries, engaging in meaningful activities, and online therapy can all be effective tools for living in the present.
Psychology research shows that looking to the future shifts our attention from the monotony of the mundane to something more meaningful: the why. The future becomes an emotional target that gives us purpose and helps us manage our frustration. When we live for the future, we build grand expectations.
As with all things in the world, balance is the key to a healthy life. Being able to live in the moment is a trait not many people have, and it is an important aspect of a healthy life, but it is also important to step out of the moment once in a while.
Is overthinking a mental illness? No, overthinking isn't a recognized mental health condition, but it can be a symptom of depression or anxiety. Overthinking is commonly associated with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), says Duke. GAD is characterized by the tendency to worry excessively about several things.
If you are too much in your head, it can have negative effects on your mental and physical health. Your mind can “wander” to the future and you might worry about things that can possibly happen, or it can “wander” to the past and replay the bad or cringe events that happened previously.
It's just another indication of elevated stress and/or fatigue. It's not an indication of serious mental illness. Most people experience stuck thoughts from time to time. It becomes more prevalent when stress and fatigue are factors.
In order to live in the moment, you need to focus on the now. Focus on what you're doing. Shut off the TV, turn off the computer, slow down, and savor the present. Jay Dixit, senior editor of Psychology Today, refers to this as mindfulness, or being with your thoughts as they are.
It is known depression makes sufferers see the present and the future as sad, but this is the first time research has shown it also casts a long shadow over people's memories of the past.
Memories of the past can connect you with parts of yourself that you've left behind. But persistently dwelling on your past, or thinking about events that already happened, may cause you distress. This is particularly the case if you're fixated on negative events or emotions that once were.