There has never been such a greater time in our history where our lives and wellbeing have been more uncertain than ever. With countless catastrophic world events taking place, such as the recent Maui fires, and many other inexplicable disasters, it becomes increasingly apparent that taking life one day at a time is a daily approach we can all benefit from.
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As questions surmount worldwide as to the causes of all the turmoil we now face, living in the present has significant advantages for our mental health and wellness. We can not change the past, and we do not know the future. So, what good is it to live in these states when all it will bring is distress? From staying present to being more productive, in this article, we will discuss a few benefits of taking life one day at a time.
No. 1
Moving forward
Many of us live in a what-if kind of state. This can be harmful to our way of thinking and only serves to drag our emotions down. It is true that we all have experienced challenges and will continue to face them throughout our lives. Some of us have even faced traumatic events that we can not simply move past without help. Thankfully, we can always choose to keep moving forward with our lives because we have the power to create a better future for ourselves and our families.
For those facing post-traumatic stress disorder in particular such as a veteran, for example, seeking VA rehab treatment for issues like drug and alcohol addiction following trauma is always a viable option. There is no better time than now to seek the treatment and healing that you need to move forward and prosper. Oftentimes, breaking harmful cycles over which we feel we have no control takes one step forward to bring forth a dramatic shift in the direction of our lives.
No. 2
Being in the Moment
It is far too easy to get stuck looking at the past and worrying about the future. Yet, as humans, we can not help this no matter how hard we try to avoid it. Since we were raised on the assumption that time is linear, this makes it very difficult to see that there really is no other time that exists than now, and by focusing on the past or future, we miss what is right there in front of us—the real blessing.
By placing our attention outside of what is happening now, our perceptions get distorted. Once a moment is gone, it is gone forever, and we may never have the same opportunity again to appreciate how significant that moment was. Life is meant for living, so try to avoid getting overwhelmed by life. Take it one day at a time as it comes so that you can appreciate the things that you really don’t want to miss out on, whether it be self-care activities for groups that make you feel connected, the joyous laughter of your child, or simply the beauty of nature around you.
No. 3
Living mindfully
Health and well-being are vital for a meaningful life. And when you take life moment by moment, you learn to become more self-aware and more conscious of what you need. This means you can look after yourself much more optimistically and mindfully than previously.
In doing so, you learn to understand what you need, when you need it, and how to get it. Living like this helps you thrive rather than survive, and over time, you will learn to bring together all the tools needed to add value to your days. Applying what you have learned throughout your life allows you to see everything as a lesson so that things become more manageable with time, and you have a wiser approach to life.
No. 4
Being More Productive
Further to adding value to your days, motivation increases much more when you learn to take what the day has for you rather than obsessing about how bad the working day could be. Rather than focusing on the tasks you do not enjoy, consider them a challenge and rise to meet them one by one. Remember the skills you have, who you will have the opportunity to interact with and exchange ideas with, and how you are capable of contributing your talents. Being more aware of this means you will only work harder and better and feel rewarded when all is said and done.
No. 5
A Better Partner
Living one day at a time helps you exist better with those around you. Rather than becoming a victim of violent mood swings because of anxiety and uncertainty, you can gain a better understanding of self-discipline. You can then gain control over your emotions and become more pleasant to be around when you do this. This also helps you identify the behavior patterns and triggers that are bad for you so that you can remove them from your life a little at a time until you find peace.
Takeaways
While we as a society face many additional challenges beyond the comforts of our home, moving past our inner struggles allows us to conquer half the battle. By moving past the things you no longer have control over through living in the present, you gain freedom that can only propel you forward. In this space, you are in complete control over the direction you choose and have the power to create a better experience for yourself—one that can change the course of your entire lifetime.
Whatever you are struggling with today, be it something from the past or something yet to happen, know that you can choose this moment to decide that the only thing worth measuring is your present awareness and your approach to what comes next. Seek continual growth, and you will discover that there is so much more to be grateful for in the now. Yesterday is but a memory and tomorrow can wait. So, enjoy this very moment, and be alive and well.
