Why Your Mind Goes on 'Autopilot' (And How to Take Back Control)
At Mindful Life we understand how difficult it can seem to take control of your mind when it’s clouded by stress. We can help you develop easy, scientifically-proven habits to improve your mental wellbeing. Something as simple as focusing on making a cup of tea can change the way your brain works.
Have you ever driven to the shops and realized you can't remember the journey? Or found yourself going through your daily routine without really being present for any of it?
If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Many of us find that as we get older, we spend more time lost in our thoughts - worrying about the future, replaying conversations, or simply going through the motions without truly experiencing our lives.
Why We Drift Away from the Present
As we age, many of our daily activities become so familiar that we stop paying attention to them. Making tea, getting dressed, walking to the corner shop - we've done these things thousands of times, so our minds wander elsewhere.
In a car we can sometimes drive for miles on automatic pilot, without really being aware of what we are doing. In the same way, we may not be really present, moment-by-moment, for much of our lives. We can often be miles away without knowing it.
This mental absence means we're missing out on the simple pleasures right in front of us - the warmth of morning sunlight, the taste of our first cup of tea, or a neighbour's friendly wave.
The Cost of Living on Autopilot
On automatic pilot, we are more likely to have our buttons pressed. Our thoughts, feelings, and sensations, as well as events in the world around us, can trigger habits of thinking that are unhelpful and lead to stress.
When we're not truly present, we're more likely to:
Get caught up in cycles of worry
Miss opportunities for genuine connection
Go down the same old mental ruts that have caused problems in the past
Feel like life is just passing us by
Learning to Be Present Again
By becoming more aware, from moment to moment, of our thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations, as well as the world around us, we give ourselves the possibility of greater freedom and choice. We do not have to go down the same old mental ruts that have caused problems in the past.
The aim is to increase awareness so that we can respond to situations with choice, rather than react automatically.
Small ways to return to the present:
Really notice the taste of your morning tea instead of drinking it while reading the paper
Feel your feet on the ground when you're walking to the postbox
Take a moment to actually look at your garden instead of just glancing at it
Listen fully when someone is speaking to you, rather than planning what you'll say next
It's Never Too Late to Start
One participant in our programme shared his experience: "For the first ten days it was like a burden. I kept 'wandering off' and then I would worry about whether I was doing it right... After ten days I relaxed more, I stopped worrying if I was thinking about anything else. When I stopped worrying about it then I actually stopped the flights of fancy. Gradually I began to look forward to it."
The practice isn't about perfection. Much like gardening – we have to prepare the ground, plant the seed, and ensure that they are adequately watered and nourished – and then wait patiently for results.
Your Life Deserves Your Attention
Mindfulness is not about trying to get anywhere. Rather, it is simply a matter of being aware of where and how we are and giving ourselves the space to make conscious choices.
Ready to step off autopilot and back into your life? Our Mindfulness for Later Life programme offers gentle, practical guidance for learning these skills.
