3 Simple Ways to Start Being Present
You’ve probably heard the phrase “be present” before, but what, why and how do you get there?
Learning how to be present, like any other life skill, requires practice, discipline and patience. We live in a fast-paced culture, where our mind’s are flying from thought to thought, wondering what task we have to do next, and worrying about whatever comes to our head, forgetting to truly connect with the life happening now.
So, I invite you, right now, to observe yourself reading this, is your mind here? Or are you thinking of the task you are going to do next?
Welcome to the present. It lives here and now.
In the present, you can be an observant. An observant of your thoughts, your beliefs and ideas that create your reality. When you are present, your consciousness becomes more aware of your body, your decisions and even your breathing. Didn’t you just breathe?
When you are present, you can use your mind as the tool is meant to be, instead of letting it control you and your emotions. Using your mind to work for you, helps you access all the knowledge you’ve gained throughout the years and bring it to the present moment.
When you are present you can connect with your center, helping you make more loving and objective decisions. My favorite outcome of being present is how you can enjoy living life, living in the moment. Even if life is busy and you have to get things done, you can do it all while being present.
Here are 3 simple ways that will help you come back to the present and stay connected with it for longer periods of time.
Feel your body.
Begin by feeling your toes, really focusing on each of them, and continue tracing your body upwards. Feel the sole of your feet, your ankles & calves. Be observant of how your body is feeling. Go up the knees, your quads, glutes and adjust anything that you need to adjust while you are doing this, keep going up, feel your pelvic floor, your lower back, your core. Here is a good place to fill your lungs with air and feel your belly rise with air. Continue going up, feeling your upper back, your shoulders, relax them, feel your arms and hands. Return going up and feel your neck, your face, and smile.
Take as much or little time you have to feel it all, and take advantage of this moment to be grateful for your body.
2. Focus on your breathing.
Take 5 to 10 deep breaths. Real deep breaths. Fill your lungs, all the way down to your diaphragm and feel your belly get full with fresh air. Hold it for a second and then release. When you release, you can let go of any tension that you are holding. Really connecting with your breath.
Repeat this breathing for at least 5 deep breaths. Making this a very conscious moment and also taking advantage of this time to be grateful you are able to breathe on your own. This is a blessing.
3. Journaling.
You can journal about anything. From what you had for breakfast, to what kept you up all night. Start emptying the mind, letting out any worry or anxiety that is keeping you away from the present moment or just to bring all the attention to this moment. The point is to come back to your center.
When we journal we are taking the time to be here. It is you, the pen and paper. Journaling helps the mind return to a calmer state, it helps you remember to breathe, and have a moment for yourself with yourself. Plus, it can help you connect with your creative side.
Take any of these, or do them all, whatever makes you happy. These are only 3 simple ways, out of the many tools you can use to come back to the present moment. Whatever you choose to do, remember the present is where the magic of life happens.
As I mentioned earlier, being present requires practice, discipline and patience. Which is why I encourage my clients, in every online program and for every session, to take a moment before and after each workout to open/close their space, to be present all throughout the routine. Arriving to the body and being present during your workout could be the shift you need to achieve the results you want. Give it a try.
Lastly, when we are present we are receptive to the messages that life is giving us, so stay present, be receptive and enjoy the ride!
