Present yourself a Present of Wellbeing in the Present
Does your emotional self keep up with your physical self throughout the day? Do your ideas accompany you from task to task, or does your mind wander and wander, making it difficult to pay attention to conversations or recollect what you were doing just now? When your mind is elsewhere, your body can physically inhabit a space. This tuning out may occur more frequently when you are bored, stressed, or otherwise focused. Being present or living thoughtfully simply implies that you are attentive and involved in the present moment, rather than being distracted or mentally absent.
Have you ever heard the expression "don't let the future take your present?" This is a pretty powerful statement. Many of us could benefit from practicing this mantra because it emphasizes the significance of happiness and living in the present moment.
In the present, we are in the midst of a crisis and it is difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Uncertainty and concerns about finances, childcare, aging parents, and job security disrupt our routines, lifestyles, and mental health. Worries about the future, constant news coverage, and an ongoing flood of messages driven by social media can all heighten our anxiety. The COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak has forced millions to physically isolate themselves, among other global health, economic, and societal disruptions. When you combine that with extensive news coverage of the pandemic and an unknown future, it's no surprise that our mental health is in jeopardy in the present.
The close links between mental health and the consequences of lockdown warrant further investigation. The importance of mental health as a public health issue is amplified by the pandemic lockdown. The world has seen an increase in the demand for mental health professionals and pursuing mental health, generally.
However, the major focus has been given to happiness, optimism, looking at the bright side of situations, ignoring the negatives to move on. Well, ‘being’ is more than just this. It is critical to recognize that wellbeing is a much broader concept than fleeting happiness. While happiness is included, it also includes other factors such as how satisfied people are with their lives in general, their sense of purpose, and how in control they feel.
Wellbeing is linked to a variety of health, job, family, and economic benefits. Higher levels of wellbeing, for example, are linked to a lower risk of disease, illness, and injury, as well as better immune function, faster recovery, and increased longevity. Happy individuals are more productive at work and are more likely to give back to their communities.
Have you ever noticed how easy everything seems when you're in a good mood? Or how a problem doesn't seem as serious after a good night's sleep? The consequences of our mental health can be felt in every aspect of our lives. Our moods, physical health, and social connections assist us in dealing with adversity and unexpected challenges. They all contribute to our sense of wellbeing and mental health.
We all carry baggage from the past and are worried about the future, which takes our attention away from the current moment. Many of our problems arise from this focus, which leads to decreased productivity, increased stress, and decreased energy. It also significantly reduces our ability to understand, determine, recall, and memorize, as well as restricts our thoughts and creativity.
As Hippocrates says, “A wise man ought to realize that health is his most valuable possession”. One should be mindful of their sleep patterns, diet, physical activity, hygiene, and time for relaxation. All these factors combine wellbeing. The ability to maintain a healthy quality of life that allows us to get the most out of our daily activities without experiencing excessive fatigue or physical stress is referred to as physical wellbeing. It entails taking care of our bodies and acknowledging that our daily habits and behaviours have a significant impact on our overall health, wellbeing, and quality of life. Since work takes up almost 70 percent of our lives, it is essential to take mindful steps for our physical wellbeing at work. Taking a few minutes to set up our work or study spaces can help us avoid pain and injuries like overuse injuries, headaches, muscle aches/fatigue, and "pinched nerves" in the short and long term.
To focus on the present, pick something about what you're doing and focus on it to help you be present in the moment. For example, if you're eating ice cream and are so overwhelmed that you forget you've eaten it, concentrate on the chocolate chips, the colour of the cone, and the sweetness of the ice cream. Engage that ice cream and make a genuine connection with it.
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Keep in mind that developing any new skill set, including wellbeing skills, takes time and effort. It's critical, to be honest with yourself about how much you can realistically accomplish in a given amount of time. Unrealistic expectations can cause you to give up before you've achieved your wellbeing objectives. So it's critical to develop a realistic plan for your wellbeing, stick to it, and take small steps every day that add up to big gains over time.
It is unlikely that we will go through life without experiencing a personal crisis that causes acute pressure for a period of time. Many people make it through and positively rebuild their lives. They are more likely to have positive attitudes and to have access to a variety of emotional and social support. When we find ways to manage these pressures and use the energy to create something positive out of the situation, we will have learned to survive - no, thrive - healthily, leaving us more stress-fit for future crises. It's as if you've been immunized against the dangers of distress. Growing your wellbeing is a lifelong endeavour, but it is completely worthwhile.
