Most people have a natural tendency to dwell on the past or worrying about the future. Fears and insecurities about the past and the future can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression. You can refocus these thoughts by being mindful. Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present by focusing on thoughts, feelings, and senses that you are experiencing in the moment. By being mindful, you spend more time in the present which helps reduce your fears and worries

Being mindful is a quality we all have. It just takes practice for it to become a skill that we use in our everyday lives. Regularly practicing mindfulness can make you more resistant to anxiety and depression and can help reduce stress. One simple way for you to start practicing mindfulness is by paying attention to your five senses. The 5,4,3,2,1 mindfulness exercise allows you to shift your attention to what is happening in the present moment around you. You can do this exercise anywhere and it doesn’t take very long to complete. Use the 5,4,3,2,1 mindfulness handout as a guide to shift your thoughts into the present moment.