Our modern day lives are busy, hectic and overwhelming. We wake up to a long to-do list, running around from task to task, always on the go. We move fast and sometimes frantically to get it all done, disconnected from the present moment and ourselves. Living this way everyday can cause us to feel depressed, stressed and anxious. In the process of all the go-go-go, how much of the time are you actually being mindful of the present moment?
Noticing and accepting where you are in the moment by being completely present with what you are doing helps you be less stressed and anxious.
For example, when you’re doing the dishes, driving to work or even watching TV, are you completely focused on what you’re doing or is your mind wandering? Also, with such easy access to our devices to check social media or surf the web, we constantly have access to distractions that can create a disconnect from the present moment too.
Research shows that we are the most happy when we are living in the present moment and least happy when we are ruminating on the past or worrying about the future. It’s not necessarily about what we are doing, it’s about the quality of experience we’re having while doing it, which is primarily based on how present we are in the moment. Obviously, when we’re doing something we really enjoy, it will be a lot easier to be present than when we’re doing something that feels unpleasant. So, this is where it becomes even more important to incorporate this practice into our life.
Now, as you start to be more mindful of being present and giving more attention to your mind and its thoughts, there may be a lot to notice. Your mind is constantly thinking and you always have a choice to pay attention to your thoughts or not. So, when you notice your mind thinking, just bring your attention or awareness to your breath, body sensations, a sound in your environment or the task at hand. Bringing awareness to your breath and sensations in your body are great ways to be present… instantly!
It’s a practice and the more you do it, the easier it will become and the more you will enjoy the benefits of feeling peaceful, calm and present and less stressed and anxious.
“If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present.” — Lao Tzu
15 Benefits of Being Present
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Enjoy life’s simple pleasures
- Improve quality of life
- Regulate emotions
- Diminish distress
- Participate/engage fully in life
- Authenticity
- Openness
- Playfulness
- Feel calm and content
- Pain management
- Better coping skills
- Helps you respond to challenges instead of react
- Helps you feel more alive
- Improve mood
How To Be More Present–15 Examples
- Enjoy what you are doing in the moment
- Notice and accept how you feel in the moment
- Notice life’s simple pleasures
- Connect with your 5 Senses: See, Hear, Touch, Smell, Taste
- Show gratitude
- Breath awareness
- Sensation awareness
- Reduce distractions (constantly checking devices/social media)
- Notice your mind wandering (worrying about future or ruminating on past)
- Give your undivided attention to others
- Refrain from multitasking
- Try grounding exercises
- Practice mindfulness meditation
- Practice Yoga
- Practice Self Awareness
How to Practice Self Awareness
Bach Flower Therapy
This is one of the healing modalities I use to help my clients foster self awareness and get to the root cause of challenging emotions and limiting beliefs.
- Try White Chestnut to help with repetitive, obsessive thinking
- Try Elm to help with feeling overwhelmed
- Try Clematis if you find yourself daydreaming a lot
I offer Bach Flower Therapy sessions, but the Bach Flower Remedies were also created as a self help system so anyone can access and use them with ease. (Don’t know what Bach Flower Remedies are? Check out my YouTube channel to learn more about the remedies and how to use them)
Transpersonal Energy Healing
This is another one of the healing modalities I use to help my clients. It’s a combination of Body Mind Counseling and Hands on Healing. Helping to nurture self-awareness, uncover core beliefs, release stored emotions in the body and balance and relax the energy and nervous systems.
Restorative Yoga
By holding comfortable poses supported by props such as blankets, bolsters, pillows, etc. practicing stillness, presence, and focusing on your breath
Meditation
Meditation increases awareness of your inner world of thoughts, emotions and sensations. Try my Affirmation Meditation ”I am Present”
Journal prompts are a great reflection tool to help you learn how to be more present.
- Create a list of things you’re grateful for overall and a daily gratitude list.
- What things do I use to distract myself?
- What am I doing when I feel the most peaceful, calm and content?
- What am I doing when I feel the most stressed, anxious and uneasy?
- How do I feel when I practice being present? What works best for me to feel more present? (Awareness of breath, sensation, surroundings, etc.)
Learning how to be present can help with so many negative emotions. It’s not necessarily an easy practice, but it is simple. I encourage you to try a few things and see how you feel. Find the ways that work for you and practice them throughout the day so you can reduce stress and anxiety and improve your quality of life.
