One of the primary goals of mindfulness is to stay in the present moment and focus on what you are feeling (i.e., sights, sounds, smells, etc.). Individuals are instructed to avoid thinking about the past or imagining what will happen in the future. 

A helpful way to stay anchored and experience the present moment is to focus on the body’s physical sensations. This can occur in many different ways such as feeling your feet firmly planted on the ground or feeling the sensation of running water hitting your skin. Regardless of approach, focusing on the body’s physical sensations can help to ground people in the present moment.

Thoughts and emotions are viewed as just that… thoughts and emotions. We are unable to control what thoughts pop into our mind or what emotions naturally occur. However, there is recognition that all thoughts and emotions come and go.

As a way to promote feelings of calm and relaxation, the individual is encouraged to focus on breathing in a slow and controlled manner.

This step encourages an individual to accept thoughts and emotions that don’t need to be immediately judged or acted on. There is a recognition that thoughts are naturally-occurring and it is important to be comfortable with simply accepting your thoughts.