Stop for a moment and consider - Are you living on autopilot?
We all know the feeling: we're going through the motions of our day-to-day lives, not really paying attention to what we're doing, just letting our autopilot take over.
Whether we're scrolling through social media, half-listening to a conversation, or just going through the motions at work, we're not really present. And according to a study commissioned by Marks & Spencer, 96% of people said they felt like they were living life on autopilot. In fact, the research found that we say "yes" four times a day when we wished we hadn't – to working late, to spending time with people we don't really like or even to attend an event we have no intention of going to.
The researchers concluded that our “mindless” state has created an epidemic of non-engagement with the world and subconscious decision-making.
The impact of living on autopilot can be huge. When we're not fully present, we're not in control of our lives and the decisions we're making. This can lead to feelings of unhappiness and stress, and it can also affect our productivity at work.
If you can become more aware and mindful of how you move through your life every day, you will be able to make better choices that lead to a more balanced and happy life.
Want to get off autopilot - here are 5 tips to help you get started:
1. Meditate or practice mindfulness: taking even just a few minutes each day to sit in silence and focus on your breath can help you to become more aware of your thoughts and feelings. This can help you to break out of autopilot mode and be more present in each moment. The added benefit of deep breathing is that it turns on your relaxation response.
2. Be aware of your surroundings: when you're walking, driving, or taking public transportation, take a moment to really look around you and notice the details of your surroundings. Pay attention to the sights, sounds, and smells around you.
3. Talk to people: instead of just rushing past people in your day-to-day life, take a moment to stop and chat with them. Ask them how they're doing or strike up a conversation about something interesting and start to connect with others. Remember our mental health awareness campaign- Act, Belong, Commit
4. Another way to increase your awareness is to practice stress resilience: this means learning how to deal with stress in a healthy way so that it doesn't have such a negative impact on your personal and professional life.
5.
Do something different each day: Breaking out of your ordinary routine can help break old habits of autopilot and allow us to see a different perspective.