Mindfulness: The Importance of Living in the Present

It’s that time of year again; tensions are building and stress levels are skyrocketing for seniors who are building their college applications and eagerly awaiting acceptances from their dream schools. Even as a current junior, I can’t help but watch this yearly rite of passage unfold, and mentally prepare myself for my turn next year. Even though my turn to endure the college application process won’t be until next year, anxious thoughts and worries flood my mind: Will I get into my dream school? College sounds so scary! While it can be healthy to plan ahead and prepare for the future, it’s also important not to get lost thinking about a future beyond your control. Living a mindful life, and being present in the current moment is crucial to a healthy lifestyle.

Mindfulness Explained:

Simply put, mindfulness is just being focused on enjoying the present moment. Stop to smell the roses! Allow yourself to acknowledge your current surroundings and feelings. That means don’t be distracted by your phone while you should be enjoying a meal with your family! And don’t spend too much energy thinking about future colleges, which is ultimately beyond your control. An elementary school teacher first introduced my class and me to the idea of mindfulness, and I remember thinking it was an interesting idea. However, I quickly tossed the notion away, not fully comprehending its usefulness and importance that I could impart in my own life. Now, revisiting it many years later, it finally makes sense.

Mindfulness Benefits:

Mindfulness practices have been found to help with stress and anxiety reduction. Two types of anxiety include ruminating on the past, or thinking too much about the future, both of which we have no control over. Mindfulness allows us to make the experience the present in a meaningful, non judgemental way, which can help us have a better outlook on the future and bad past situations. For athletes, mindfulness can also improve athletic performance. The starting quarter-back on University of Michigan’s football team, JJ McCarthy, is a staunch advocate of meditation (a mindfulness practice) and its benefits. You can find him underneath the football goal post, meditating before his games, to stay in the moment and mentally prepare for upcoming matchups. McCarthy also credits meditation for helping him deal with depression in high school. McCarthy and the Michigan football team are now the 2024 College Football National Champions.

How You Can Adopt Mindfulness in Your Life:

You can practice mindfulness in your own life in simple ways. For one, you can focus on seemingly mundane tasks such as eating, or driving, and devote your full attention to how your food tastes, or the sounds of the car as it moves. Meditation is another way to draw yourself back into the present moment. Meditation could simply be sitting and noticing your breathing through your body. Many online resources have guides to more structured versions of meditation as well. 

So, if you are stressed out, or worried about a future beyond your control, deep breaths. Try to enjoy the here and now, and maybe give mindfulness a try.

References:

1. “Mindfulness for Your Health.” NIH News in Health, 1 June 2021, https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2021/06/mindfulness-your-health
2. Broadway, Kaitlin. The Benefits Of Mindfulness For Student-Athletes | NCSA. 25 May 2023, https://www.ncsasports.org/blog/benefits-of-mindfulness-for-athletes 
3. González-Martín, Ana María et al. “Mindfulness to improve the mental health of university students. A systematic review and meta-analysis.” Frontiers in public health vol. 11 1284632. 4 Dec. 2023, 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1284632 
4. Breiler, Christopher. “WATCH: JJ McCarthy Discusses Pregame Meditation, Depression, And Mental Health.” Sports Illustrated Michigan Wolverines News, Analysis and More, 10 Oct. 2023, https://www.si.com/college/michigan/football/michigan-football-wolverines-jj-mccarthy-mental-health-big-ten-meditation-depression
5. “Can Mindfulness Exercises Help Me?” Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/mindfulness-exercises/art-20046356. Accessed 7 Jan. 2024.
6. “10 Mindfulness Exercises to Include in Your Daily Routine.” Calm Blog, 1 Sept. 2023, https://blog.calm.com/blog/mindfulness-exercises