Mindfulness: How to live in the moment

A big corporate house recently contacted me to hold a seminar on mindfulness. I was surprised at their request, as not many companies in this region are focused on the mental well being of their employees. However the company that had hired me, confided why they needed me to conduct the seminar. Their employee turn over was at an all time high. People were calling in sick often and the interpersonal relationships within the company were rocky. The CEO of the company decided to bring about some positive changes and one of them was to create a more positive mindset among all the employees. Needless to say the workshop was a huge success and now I conduct monthly session for all employees.

So what exactly is mindfulness and how does it work? In simple words, mindfulness means awareness. It implies restoring balance, remaining focused and living in the present moment. We often associate mindfulness with meditation and yoga. However it is more powerful than meditation if it becomes a habit and remains constant in your life. Let me explain how it works.

Everyone is living in the fast lane these days. You drive to work while talking on the phone and making mental notes. Or you are cooking a dish while loading the washing machine and are on the phone while keeping an eye on your toddler. Multi tasking has become a way of life. While planning your day or week, do you focus on yourself? Are you connected to yourself and realise what you are feeling this very moment? Mindfulness is an act of training your mind to focus on every breath you take and enjoy this present moment. However it is not that simple as it sounds. Our mind is so full of junk that it keeps interfering with the process.

So how does one train the mind? The first step to mindfulness is incorporating practice of meditation in everyday life. The simple technique to follow is to focus on your breath and chant a ‘mantra’ or one word silently. Let your thoughts come and go but try and bring your focus back to breathing and chanting silently. Secondly focus on your body. Are you feeling any sensations in your body? Do you feel hot or cold? Is your skin itchy? After the inner focus its time to expand your awareness and let your senses relax. Go through all your senses and one by one let them be. Its time now to name your emotions and what you are feeling at this moment and then one by one let it all go. Focus on any cravings that you may feel and instead of pushing it away be sure that it will subside and that you need to remain focused.

The above can be practiced regularly until you have regained your focus and are living in the present moment. Over a period of time you will realise that mindfulness has become a way of life and it is restoring the much needed balance and calm in your hectic life.

Shivani Adalja is a Dubai-based well-being expert. She runs the Alignment Insitute which offers effective solutions that focus on stress management and overall wellbeing. Email align@shivaniadalja.com