Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you're physically present, but your mind is somewhere else? If you're a human, then the answer is, most definitely, yes! Maybe you walked into another room and forgot why you went there or attended a class but have no recollection of what was discussed. As James Joyce wrote in Dubliners, "Mr. Duffy lived a short distance from his body." While funny to imagine, especially living in the information age, we can often think about our minds needing to carry around this body, which then gets a utilitarian treatment (shrink me, sculpt me, etc., a topic for another time!).

Being disconnected from our present experience can make it difficult to do many things, like manage difficult situations, build resilience, and critically think about our own perspective. A recent study done at Harvard suggests on average, we spend 47% of our time lost in thought. “A human mind is a wandering mind, and a wandering mind is an unhappy mind,” Killingsworth and Gilbert write. “The ability to think about what is not happening is a cognitive achievement that comes at an emotional cost.”

It's not to say you should be present in the moment 100% of the time. While reflection and processing can be beneficial, it's important to recognize when our thoughts do and do not serve us. As the saying goes, thoughts make an excellent servant, but a horrible master.

One technique is mindfulness meditation, which involves paying attention to the present moment without judgment. Meditation has improved focus, reduced stress, and increased self-awareness. Another option is to schedule "mindful breaks" throughout the day, where you focus on your breath and the present moment for a few minutes.

It's also important to reflect on when and why we are getting lost in thought. Are there specific triggers or situations that cause us to drift away? By identifying these patterns, we can take steps to become more present in the moment and take control of our thoughts.

While it's normal to have a wandering mind, it's important to recognize when it's negatively impacting our daily lives and take steps to become more present in the moment. Mindfulness practices such as meditation and mindful breaks can help us train our minds to return to live in the present, so you have choice and freedom to wander when the situation calls for it, and otherwise be present, and therefore truly actually living your life.

Reflection: When do you find yourself getting lost in thought? At what times is it beneficial or positive in your life? When are the times when it does not serve you?