In today's fast-paced world, many of us are accustomed to multitasking. We work while replying to messages, eat while scrolling through social media, and even sleep is interrupted by notifications.
Have you ever noticed that when you try to focus on one thing, other thoughts just start to distract you? For example, when you're trying to do an assignment, your thoughts and attention are distracted by memories of what happened at school or work that day. Even when you're listening to someone tell a story, your mind can wander to other things.
Our thoughts feel like they're controlling us, not us, and we feel like we're not in full control of our own attention. Without realizing it, this keeps our minds busy, our bodies tired, and our emotions unstable.
The Key to Organizing Your Thoughts with Mindfulness
Sometimes our minds are like a messy room: cluttered with things piled up in an unorganized way, making it difficult to find what we truly need. However, when we focus on just one thing at a time, it's like tidying up the room, organizing and putting everything in its place. This way, it's easier to "grab" the things we need.
This can be done in one simple way that is starting to be talked about a lot, namely mindful living or living with full awareness.
What is Mindful Living?
Mindful living means practicing being fully present in the present moment. It means living life with full awareness of what we are experiencing right now—through our five senses, including any impulses or feelings that arise—without dwelling on the past or being distracted by thoughts of the future. We learn to enjoy what we are doing—whether it's eating, walking, working, or simply breathing—without rushing or judging.
In other words, we make space to truly be “present” in the here and now.
Benefits of Mindful Living
Mindful living helps us take control of our thoughts, rather than letting our thoughts control us. Research shows that mindful living offers numerous benefits for both mental and physical health, including:
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Improve sleep quality
- Helps focus and productivity
- Helps us to make important decisions more clearly.
- By being fully present, we can find gratitude in the things we go through and experience joy every day.
- Maintain emotional stability in the face of pressure
It is no wonder that mindful living is now considered one of the keys to healthy living in the modern era.
How to Get Started?
Mindful living doesn't have to be complicated. Some small steps you can try include:
- Take a deep breath whenever you feel rushed.
- Focus on one thing at a time, avoid excessive multitasking.
- Enjoy simple activities , such as chatting or eating with family without gadget distractions.
- Take some time for yourself , even if it's just 5–10 minutes a day.
- Train yourself to be grateful for the little things around you.
With these steps, mindful living can become part of our daily lives, helping us live more peaceful, balanced, and healthy lives.
When Do You Need Professional Help?
Although simple, mindful living isn't easy for everyone. If stress is overwhelming, you have trouble sleeping for a long time, or your emotions feel out of control, it's a sign you need professional help.
Psychiatric Services at EMC Pekayon Hospital
At EMC Pekayon Hospital, we understand that mental health is just as important as physical health. With the support of experienced psychiatrists and internationally accredited hospital services , we are ready to help you rediscover peace and a better quality of life.
Don't hesitate to consult. Taking care of your mental health is the best form of self-care.
Article written by Dr. Eduardo Renaldo, Sp.KJ (Psychiatric Specialist, EMC Pekayon & Tangerang Hospital).