Most of us tend to live in the past or in the future. Do you think a lot about what happened yesterday or what might happen tomorrow? How does this affect your life and happiness?
In this article, we’ll talk about how to live in the present moment more often and some of the ways that can help you return to a mindful lifestyle.
Observe your surroundings
Take this opportunity now: close both eyes and take a deep breath, then open them and really look at where you are.
- What do the walls look like?
- What about the floor or ceiling?
- What patterns can you see there?
- How many windows are on the right and left side?
- How many lights can you count from here?
When you stop to look around and absorb everything around you, it becomes easier to live in the moment.
Focus on one thing at a time (don’t do too many things)
While multitasking and multitasking may seem more efficient, multitasking constantly makes it hard to survive today. While doing something requires your full attention at first, remember how much more productive you will be when you are fully committed to one task.
Be grateful for what you have now
Part of living in the present moment is taking the time to be grateful for what you have now (not in the past or in the future). If you constantly focus on the things you don’t have, you are not taking the time to appreciate what you do have right now.
Accept things as they are (not as you want them to be)
If you want to start living in the present moment, you must let go of how you think things should be and accept them as they are. You can’t control everything that happens around you; sometimes life is going to be different from how you want it to be. Practicing acceptance will help you let go of the things in your life that are out of your control.
Practice mindfulness meditation
One way to live better in the present is to practice mindfulness meditation. This type of meditation helps people become aware of their consciousness and focus more on what they are doing at any given moment.
Take a break from social media and technology
Taking a break from social media and other technology can also help you stay more focused on the present. While you may think that constantly checking your social media accounts helps you stay connected to the world, it actually has a negative effect on your ability to be present.
How many times have you been doing something else and found yourself checking social media? It’s important to learn how to keep technology from taking over your life, as this can actually prevent you from being attentive to what’s going on around you.
Exercise regularly or do yoga
Exercising regularly or simply taking a walk in the park can help you focus more on your current activities. Including yoga as part of your daily routine is another great way to experience the present, especially when combined with meditation and mindfulness exercises. If you can’t make time for a full yoga class, simply stopping what you’re doing to spend a few minutes in some basic postures can help bring you back to the moment.
In conclusion, living in the present moment requires you to take the time to appreciate where you are, what you are doing and who is with you. Instead of getting caught up in the past or worrying about what will happen in the future, try to savor each moment as it passes.
Dr. Mansi Shah
Functional Wellness Network
www.functionalwellnessnetwork.com
