With the launching of the new year, it’s easy to dwell on the past and the mistakes you made in the previous year—or be hyper-focused on the months to come. By not focusing on the present, you can quickly become a victim of time.
With you mind being pulled into the past or daydreaming about the future, you can miss the beauty of the moment. While targeted reflection and future-oriented thoughts are normal and necessary, it’s important to not get lost in these thoughts. As we head into 2018, we’ve provided a self-help guide for our Josey Lane patients to ensure that your past guide you, your future inspire you, and to help you focus on the beauty of the present.
Living in the present is healthy
Being bogged down by the past or apprehensive about the future can have negative effects on your health. First, it can have serious effects on your mental health and emotional well-being. This can further manifest with higher blood pressure, heart disease, and decreased sleep, which can also lead to weight gain.
Living in the present means you are accepting life where it is. This allows you to forgive yourself of mistakes made and not dwell on them. Acceptance also improves your mental health, increase optimism and lowers your blood pressure. Living in the present is much cheaper when it comes to stress-management pharmaceuticals, too!
Stop thinking, start living
Learning from your past mistakes is important. However, dwelling on your mistakes and not actively making changes is another thing you might do that does not allow you to live in the present. You are surrendering your personal power by dwelling in the past. In addition, if you are perpetually worried about the future, you are living in a time that does not yet exist, and whose circumstance you can’t know until you get there. Self-improvement begins when you are able to accept how life is, and live each day to its fullest.
Move toward things that bother you
We all like to avoid things that bother us—hopefully, that doesn’t include going to the dentist! Our mind instinctively tries to protect us from things that could hurt us or cause us emotional pain. To avoid the initial negative emotion, our mind compensates with other responses.
For example, you might be able to bury the feeling of being overworked; however, instead of just dealing with that emotion, your body creates stress as you avoid the emotion. You are now dealing with feeling both overworked and tired, as well as stressed. In order to better live in the present, it’s important to let yourself feel all emotions—both positive and negative. By acknowledging these negative feelings, you’re better equipped to overcome the obstacle you are facing.
Fully appreciate all moments
Soak in as much of each day as possible. This could mean putting down your cell phone, turning off the television, or getting rid of social media. Life’s small distractions can all add up and create a significant burden on our everyday life. For example, every day, we’re exposed to upwards of 5,000 advertisements. Now, combine that with other messages we are inundated with between Facebook and email, and it’s no surprise that our society constantly ranks as one of the most “burned out” and stress-laden in the world. Take time in 2018 to unplug and soak in real moments. Step outside and stop experiencing life through a screen.
Living in the present is best for your physical health, mental wellness, and for your personal relationships. Accepting your past and looking forward to your future will help you live your best life in 2018. Make this next year the best one yet!
Emergency
Patient Forms
Contact Us