How to Live in the Present

A lot of us are stuck in the past or the future, wishing things had turned out differently or worrying about living a great life. And just like that, time seems to fly and we forget to stop and enjoy the present moment. Unfortunately, not being grounded can affect your mental well-being and make you less happy than you could be.

Why is Living in the Present Important?

The reason we tend to think about the past or the future is that we worry and being distressed all the time negatively impacts our mental health. Studies show that being aware of the present moment allows us to better respond to stressors. [1] If you set yourself goals without appreciating the current moment, you’re essentially postponing being happy.

Secondly, being in the present moment can make you feel more at peace with yourself. If you let yourself overthink, you might struggle to feel in control of what’s going on in your life. On the other hand, being grounded can help you appreciate the world around you; you can become more attuned to ordinary things that you otherwise don’t pay much attention to, such as nature, white noise and so on.

Lastly, being present facilitates connection with other people. When you’re present, you’re able to actively listen to others and bond with them, without worrying about how your relationship will turn out in the future. It also gives you more confidence because your mind is no longer flooded with ‘what if’ scenarios.

Tips on Living in the Moment

Here are a few steps you can take to start living in the present today:

1. Practice gratitude

When you constantly think about your past and the future, you often focus on things you don’t have. Instead, you should learn to appreciate what you already have. Write down a few things you’re grateful for every day, no matter how small they are. Over time, you should notice an improved mood and a more positive mindset.

2. Focus on your surroundings

The easiest way to ground yourself in the present is to pay more attention to what’s around you. For example, when you’re on the way to work, try not to think about the day ahead and focus on what you can see, smell and touch.

3. Don’t multitask

Similarly, don’t try to do two or more things at the same time. Simply focus on one task at a time – notice the way your hands move while you do them, the way objects in your hands feel and so on – this will help you become more mindful of everything you do.

References:

[1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0092656616301118