In the Present Moment
“Life is accessible only in the present moment.” -Eckhart Tolle
Throughout our lives, there can be periods of overwhelm. We may find ourselves terribly worried about something that could happen in the future. We could also find ourselves reliving events from our past, replaying them over and over to analyze what could have happened differently.
Looking ahead to the future, or remembering the past, can be helpful sometimes. We need to plan to move forward, and we need to reflect in order to learn and move on. The problems arise when thinking so much about future worries or past events interferes with our ability to function.
Here is a tip that I have often shared with clients to help in a period of overwhelm. When we feel we can’t control anything else, we can always control our breath.
Learning to work with our breath can be a useful tool in coping with stress. You can find many resources to demonstrate breathwork techniques. One I recommend is a free phone app from the Defense Health Agency called Breathe2Relax (Apple) / Breathe2Relax (Google) .
In shifting our focus to our breath, we begin to understand how we can soothe our thoughts and feelings by bringing a calming effect to our bodies. Bringing a mindful awareness to the movement of air into and out of our lungs is one way we can attune to the present moment.
The Mindfulness Toolbox is another resource that I use. It is a book with exercises tailored to relieving anxiety, depression, stress, and pain. It uses the techniques of paying attention to what is happening in the present moment, including the quality of the breaths we take (how deep or shallow, how rapid or slow). The techniques invite us to bring awareness to areas of tension in our bodies as well as what our thoughts are saying.
Slowing down, paying attention to signals from our minds and bodies, and tuning in to our breath can refocus us. Sometimes it’s hard to “get out of our head.” At Kildaire Counseling, we encourage you to slow down and put the focus on you. We are reminded that in this moment, we are here with one another. We are paying attention to our bodies, our thoughts and our emotions. When thoughts and emotions get out of control, we help you re-center in your body and in the present.
Feeling attuned in the present moment can be very empowering. We can feel the sense of overwhelm releasing its grip. We can turn inward and make decisions on how to best soothe ourselves or act with intention toward something that feels good.
Trying out some breathwork exercises is a great place to start. When you are ready for more, reach out and see how we can help you choose techniques tailored to your needs and your preferred learning styles, like the ones I use from The Mindfulness Toolbox. We can't wait to help you feel present and relaxed.
