Live in the Present Moment
What is present-moment awareness? Present-moment awareness involves focusing on the present and not the past or future; it keeps your thoughts in check and your mind from wandering.
When was the last time you gave thought to what you were doing? Do you go through your day as though you’re on autopilot, with your physical self moving but your emotional self absent and lost in thought?
Sometimes we tend to get so wrapped up in daily activities that we don’t stop to watch the flowers bloom, feel the breath in our lungs, and appreciate life in the moment. If you’re able to be present, you’ll find life more fulfilling and exciting.
The Importance of Being Present
Let’s paint a picture to help you better understand what not being present means. You’re constantly blaming yourself over past experiences or worrying about what the future holds, so much that you don’t take the time to appreciate the present.
You’re locked in a vicious cycle of worrying over past failures and not wanting a repeat in the future such that present opportunities pass you by without you even knowing. In the end, you still fail because we manifest what we invest our attention and energy in.
Here’s why living in the present is really important:
- It can help you build stronger bonds in your relationships
- You may also improve mental health symptoms by being present.
- When you’re aware of your environment and thoughts, you will be able to sift out depressing and anxious thoughts and learn to stop before you dwell more on them.
- Cultivating the act of present-moment awareness may help you deal with stress
- When you’re aware of the possible stressors in your life, you stand a better chance of relieving your stress than you would have if you distracted yourself by hiding away in your mind.
How to Be Present
One way to be present or live in the moment is to learn to appreciate the little things:
- How soft your woolen sweater feels
- The warm air that caresses your hair strands at the beach
- The savory taste of food in your mouth
Take in all you can notice about your environment and appreciate it. You’ll find that life becomes less monotonous and mundane, and you don’t feel the need to struggle to make things work. It all flows into a not-entirely-perfect but beautiful harmony.
Experience present-moment awareness and watch how your relationship with people, work productivity, mental health, and overall health significantly improve. Discover how to be more present:
In Your Life
Take up new mindful practices, like journaling, meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises. Soon enough, you’ll find your thoughts more centered on the present. While journaling, practice gratitude. Be grateful for the things you never thought mattered — oxygen, clothes on your back, a roof over your head, etc.
Also, engage in breathing exercises. Focus on how your chest slowly rises and falls. Appreciate how your lungs expand to take in and contract to expel air. Consciously allow yourself to engage your five sense organs throughout your day. You’ll feel more at ease in your mind and body, making you live in the moment.
In Relationships
When you’re with friends and family, show them they matter. Put your phone away and consciously engage them in meaningful conversations. Juggle your memory for where you left off when you last met and draw a gist from there. And if you can’t remember, ask them if something new has happened in their lives and take it up from there.
If you often forget birthdays or other essential information about the people in your life, keep a record of them in a journal. The key is to show them you care about what’s going on in their lives and that they matter to you. The upside is they might do the same for you, too, because most people tend to return the energy you give them.
At Work
If you’ve ever watched the animation Soul, you’ll find that people who didn’t have a “spark” or passion for their work turn into lost souls over time. They would only exist in their bodies but have their souls trapped in another realm. Something similar happens in the real world when you’re so immersed in work that you get lost in it.
The first step to being present at work is loving what you do or finding a job you love. While you work, find time to rest between tasks and mindfully enjoy your break time. You’ll soon realize you have more energy to accomplish tasks at work and that your days become super productive and fulfilling.
Finally
It can feel weird to stop the stressful cycle of visiting the past and future and learn to keep yourself in the present. You’ll need some time to adjust and get familiar with being present.
So when you find yourself drifting off into your mind, don’t talk yourself down or feel upset. Gently put your attention back into the present. With time, you’ll be an expert at living in the moment.