Feeling anxious but not knowing why, all of the items on your endless to-do list scrolling through your mind. We’ve all been there.
With kiddos heading back to school this week, you may find it easy to get caught in the worry of being on time of if you remembered to pack that extra snack. Or if you don’t have children, how many school zones are between here and work again to ruin my timely morning commute?
Our mind can often distract us with feelings of overwhelm, non-stop thinking and sometimes does its best to keep us on top of everything else but what we should be thinking about. These three tips can help get you back inside the moment and feel the joy of actually living in the present.
- Stop, breathe, connect.
The first step to being more present is getting back into your body. Whenever you’re not feeling present, remind yourself to stop. Put the moment on pause. See (as if you had eyes inside your body) your inhale and exhale happening inside the chest and moving inside the body — going up and down, going in and out.
From there, notice the moment you’re in. Be aware of the space around you. Feel your feet on the ground. Feel the air that surrounds you as you breathe it. Now your mind is back in your physical space.
- Find gratitude.
Feeling grateful for something in the moment is an incredible way to stay or become present. After you get back into your body, use your other senses to connect to the world. If you’re outside, try using your sense of smell to connect to nature. See what’s around you. Take a look at all and everything around you and find something, even if it seems or feels mundane, to be grateful for — yes, even that cup of coffee or the cloudless sky.
Having a sense of gratitude can immediately help you recognize and acknowledge the current (and very present) moment right in front of you.
- Shift your mindset.
Oftentimes we’re focused on what’s next, we’re thinking about something we want to happen, or we’re fixated on controlling some situation or outcome. All of this takes us away from the present moment.
The minute you acknowledge your desire to control a situation, when you experience negative thoughts or even find yourself predicting what might happen, you can shift. You can give yourself permission to release control and let go. The magic of our lives exists in the space where we let go and allow something greater to come through and support the present moment.
There’s nothing wrong with having an active mind and wanting to do and be your best. The trick is to give yourself a few extra moments every day to ensure you’re enjoying your life and the present moment. Savor the sweet moments in your life because each one will only happen in that moment. Remember, “Every day is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present!”
When do you find yourself distracted or desire to be more present in your life?
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