Being in the moment

It’s been a little over a year that Fiance and I have been planning our wedding. As the date approached, we kept getting the same piece of advice from every other couple that we talked to: “Just set aside a minute to take it all in, just you two.”

It seemed pretty important. Everyone stressed that this would be the only time in our lives, really, that we’d have everyone we love around us for one event. So, as we marked out the timeline for the wedding day (happening tomorrow) we worked in a minute to do just that.

I’m about to have a Carrie Bradshaw moment, so gird your loins … But then I got to thinking, each and every day is an opportunity to be present in what you’re doing and where you are. Don’t wait for a special day to appreciate what’s happening in your life and around you. Take a minute each day to be thankful for what’s happening and who’s in your life.

But what does that have to do with your health? Mindfulness – the act of removing your pre-occupations and expectations from your situation, and paying attention to what’s around you – can help relieve stress and increase your sense of well-being.

What I’m saying is that you should take a minute to just pay attention to all of the things that brought you to the exact moment you’re in as often as you can. If you’re at work and you’re in a meeting, close your laptop, pay attention to your colleagues. I can guarantee that status meeting will feel less pointless and, bonus, if everyone pays attention, you’ll probably get out of your meeting quicker. That’s what we call a win-win, people.

If you’re working out, leave your phone in a locker, keep your mind on your muscles and your muscles on your mind. You’ll get more out of your workout and you’ll actually relieve more stress that way. In general, if you’re living in the moment and appreciating it, you’re going to get more out of it.

I decided to take an in-the-moment selfie at our rehearsal dinner. I know that sounds a little counter-intuitive to the notion of being in the moment, but I wanted that savor that moment for a little bit longer than for the time I would be in it.

This was inspired by aSweatLife’s very own Christiana Basso who took a selfie from the end of the aisle – and I’ve seen some large group warm fuzzy selfies come from NTC at events too.

asweatlife being in the moment

So I’m challenging you to flip the selfie on its head and use them to remember your very favorite moments that you want to last forever. You can still use them when your makeup looks perfect if you want.

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About Jeana Anderson Cohen

Jeana Anderson Cohen is the founder and CEO of asweatlife.com a premiere wellness media destination that creates content and community to help womxn live better lives and achieve their goals. Before founding health-focused companies Jeana earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison - and fresh out of college she worked on the '08 Obama campaign in Michigan. From there, she created and executed social media strategies for brands. aSweatLife fuses her experience in building community and her passion for wellness. You can find Jeana leading the team at aSweatLife, trying to join a book club, and walking her dog Maverick.