Living in the Now

You may have heard the phrase 'living in the now' or someone may have suggested this to you, but what does this mean? Stress and anxiety can be overwhelming and yet these can be managed by 'living in the now' or in other words living in the present moment. 

Dwelling on the past, wishing things could have been done differently can cause worries and sleepless nights but the past can't be changed so why dwell on it? Worrying doesn't actually achieve anything so if you think something needs to change then change it, now. Likewise, do you worry about an event that is due to take place? A job interview, a surprise party that you want to be perfect? Of course you want them to go as well as possible and you make plans for that to happen. Although plans can be made for the future the planning itself happens in the present moment. 

The only time we have control of is the time right now, therefore to help reduce stress and anxiety is to 'live in the now' or in the present moment. Please don't be under any illusion, it isn't easy to live in the now all of the time but I certainly have found the concept to help me in times of worry. Try to apply it and see if it can help you during times of anxiety.

I came across this beautiful poem written by Vanessa Hughes which sums up this sentiment for me.