Intro

Following on from my last post regarding mindfulness, I wanted to share a post all about embracing this now. So many of us spend so much time worrying about past and/or future events, and to what gain? The quote I said yesterday sums up everything: worrying will not take away tomorrow’s troubles; it will take away today’s peace. When you exert so much energy into stressing about an upcoming event, you forget to live in the present moment and focus on what you need to do right now.

It’s hard

I know it can be difficult to do this, especially if you’re currently in a busy period at work or in exam season. Stress and anxiety can take over our bodies, leaving us feeling overwhelmed, burnt out or even sick. This is exactly why learning to be mindful and focusing on what matters now – not tomorrow or what could have happened yesterday – is so important. It helps us ground ourselves and work out what actually matters to us.

The ‘what-ifs’

How many times in your life have you said ‘what if’ or ‘if only’. These sentences starters come up so much, especially with reference to what you could have done in a scenario. Now ask yourself, how many times you have stayed up late at night wishing you had said this awesome comeback you have just thought of in an argument you had with a friend 5 years ago? Picture it… yes, we are all guilty of it. And it feels silly, right? All this time we have wasted thinking about the ‘ifs’, ‘buts’, and ‘maybes’. Why don’t we trade that energy in for the present moment? Think about how much more you could do in your day if you didn’t spend so much time worrying about other things?

Advice: stress + workload

I’ll give you some of the best advice I have ever heard, and I am pretty sure this can work for everyone, regardless of who you are and what you do. We all have extensive to-do lists, whether it’s your university studies, housework chores, or work to-dos. You might often find yourself overwhelmed with how much you have to do – particularly when it comes to the weekly to-do list on a Monday morning. Here’s the tip: on your daily list, highlight the top THREE priorities. You might reply to this “I have more than three things to do today!”. Let me stop you there. Just highlight the top THREE that you have to get done. Then, go ahead and get these three done, and after that, if there is time, you can do another task – but only ONE. The other things on your list can be done tomorrow, or the day after. You only have so much time in a day to get it all done, so start with the three most important things. This way, your head will be clearer, and you’ll be focusing on the moment in front of you and what you need to do today.

It’s not all bad

But, hey, maybe a little bit of worrying is helpful.

Worrying, despite its negative connotations, can sometimes serve a purpose in motivating us to take action. Consider preparing for a big exam. In the weeks leading up to it, the anticipation of the exam can induce stress. This stress triggers a physiological response in our bodies, including the release of adrenaline, which can sharpen our focus and increase our energy levels.

This heightened state of alertness can be beneficial as it pushes us to study harder, concentrate more intently, and prioritise our tasks effectively. The pressure we feel compels us to devote more time and effort to preparation, ensuring that we cover the necessary material and perform at our best when the time comes.

Moreover, the anxiety we experience serves as a reminder of the importance of the task at hand, encouraging us to stay disciplined and dedicated to our goals. It prevents complacency and encourages us to strive for excellence.

However, it’s crucial to strike a balance. While a moderate level of stress can be motivating, excessive worry can be detrimental to our well-being and performance. It’s essential to manage stress effectively through techniques such as mindfulness, exercise, and proper time management. By doing so, we can harness the positive aspects of stress while mitigating its harmful effects, ultimately maximising our productivity and success.

Summing up

This blog post incorporates many features. Firstly, embracing the now is the best thing you can do to help combat stress. Secondly, focusing on three main things each day can serve you in a way you didn’t know before. Lastly, stress can help motivate us and push us through to our end goal.

I honestly cannot stress (pun intended) enough how important it is to be present. It’s that simple. Ok, maybe you are just a stressy-type person and you’re always overwhelmed (I’ll be looking into this more in an upcoming blog post), and right now on this jourrney, that’s ok too. I just ask this one thing from you, whether you meditate or not, I don’t care. Spend at least 10 minutes a day being in the here and now. Maybe where you are in your journey right now that means just watching TV, or maybe it is meditation, if that’s something you enjoy and find value in. Whatever way works for you, find time EVERY DAY to be present – and you’ll soon see the benefits.