Mindfulness means being able to focus all of your attention on one thing. This thing can be a moment, a person or a specific task. It should allow you to fully perceive and accept situations as they are. Emotions that might at times get in your way can be set aside for a while. If, for example, you’re dealing with stress at work, because of technical issues or a problem with a colleague, it’s easy to get worked up about it – especially if the rest of your day has been full of negative energy. Mindfulness helps you to accept these moments as something unfortunate, without letting them spoil your mood or cause you to get angry. For example, in a mindful state, you might make fewer mistakes at work that could lead to even more stress.
By paying attention to the here and now, being mindful also means not letting your thoughts dwell in the past or get lost in the future. Distraction builds up stress and emotions that can bog you down.
Mindfulness exercises are designed to help you disconnect from these emotions, to put the past behind you, and to live your life in a more stress-free and relaxed way.
Not only will it calm your nerves, but it will also help prevent stress factors that can affect your physical health (e.g. heart disease). With this in mind, it should be easier for you to focus on the moment instead of worrying about the past or the future.