How to Be More Present and Get More Out of Every Moment of Life

How often do you actually feel rooted in the present moment?

These days, most of us are constantly plugged in, whether that means being glued to our phones or computers or having a TV droning in the background. Even when we aren't, there's the noise in our minds, playing over past events again and again or worrying about what happen in the future. The result is that we're frequently distracted and rarely present and mindful, and despite having the world at our fingertips, we also manage to be restless and bored.

As simple as it sounds, the solution is to simply choose to be more present. Being mindful, and not mindless, allows you to live in the here and now, focusing on what's going on within and around you. Not only can this help you better connect with yourself, but it's also one of the keys to forging good relationships with others. Ready to get off autopilot and start actually enjoying those moment-to-moment pleasures in life? We have a few tips for you.

Make Being Present a Conscious Decision

It's so obvious that it almost sounds silly, but being more present really starts with choosing to do so. Without that goal in mind, it's all too easy to float through much of life in a zoned-out, barely aware state, but simply remembering that you want to be more present can help you snap into focus and be way more intentional about the way you go about life.

Start by simply paying attention to your five senses—touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste—to truly ground yourself in the present. Integrate being present as you go through your routines, whether that's getting ready in the morning, driving, cooking and eating a meal or even just walking around, without any outside distractions, and you'll be surprised how much more you get out of these activities. If it's challenging at first for you to remember to do this, you can even set timers or create other cues as reminders. And if you slip out of the state of being present, that's okay. Just note that it happened before returning to your practice.

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Practice Breathing Techniques

Breathing techniques are known for busting stress and enhancing a sense of relaxation, and one of the reasons they're so effective is because they keep you fully in the present, removing space for you to dwell on the past or worry about what'll happen next. Make time to breathe, taking breath in through your nose and expelling it out through your mouth, if you can, while focusing on the rise and fall of your chest. Box breathing is one of the simpler techniques to employ—just inhale for four seconds, hold for four seconds, exhale for four seconds and then hold for another four seconds before repeating the process. Experiment and try different ways to stay with your breathing, whether that's counting breaths, scanning your body to focus on the different sensations from head to toe or focusing all of your thought into the space between your eyebrows.

These techniques are a great way to start or end your day, but the can also be particularly helpful throughout. Instead of running directly from one task or errand to the next, try taking time out to stop, breathe and bask in your senses. It's a powerful way to center yourself and induce calm, better preparing you for whatever's next.

 

Take One Step at a Time

Speaking of that next task, taking just one step at a time with any kind of job is another purposeful act in being more present. It can be highly tempting to multitask, thinking you'll safe yourself time and energy by tackling many things at once, when in reality, spreading yourself thin actually makes you worse at each individual task while taking up even more time in the long run. Even more, it's impossible to be mindful and fully dedicate your brainpower to anything when you're juggling a bunch of small jobs at once. Instead, pick just one thing and give that your full attention and focus until the task is completed to move on to the next one. Chances are that you'll be more engaged and produce better work, with time to spare.

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Also read about: 6 Ways to Become More Decisive

 

Create a Distraction-Free Environment

Distractions are a presence-killer, and they can exist in many shapes and forms. For being more present while you work or study, start by decluttering your desk space, keeping only the necessary tools in front of you. Disable notifications on your phone (or put it away entirely) and check out distraction-free modes on your computer browser to ensure you keep focused. You may also want to invest in noise-canceling headphones, if a noisy environment is an issue.

Most of these things also apply to grounding yourself for the purposes of rest and relaxation, even if your immediate goals are completely different. Gather up what you need—whether that's blankets and pillows for getting comfy, a good book to cuddle up with and snacks and a beverage to stay refreshed—and clear out anything unnecessary. Block off outside stimuli and put your phone on airplane mode. Learn to enjoy being understimulated, soaking in the pleasant comfort of the moment and not needing anything else.

 

Be More Action-Oriented

Rather than getting caught in a cycle of sitting around and thinking about doing things, but never actually getting around to them, choose to act instead. Go after your heart's desires, and make active decisions, instead of relying on automatic habits. Then, when you do catch yourself acting habitually, pay attention to your actions and their outcomes. Which ones work for you, and which don't? Maybe going on autopilot during your shower or skincare routine works just fine for you, but you'd rather stop picking up your phone every time you're bored, or snacking on junk and not even enjoying it because your mind is elsewhere. Try replacing screentime with another activity or doing something on your phone, like writing or editing, that actually feels productive. Savor the texture and flavor of snacks, rather than mindlessly munching on them. Those little choices can add up to a big difference, and it's all because you took the time to be present and notice them.

 

Also read about: 6 Important Steps to Becoming More Approachable

 

Find Mindfulness in Moments of Discomfort

In moments that feel unpleasant or uncomfortable, we often seek distraction when we can benefit much more from being present instead. Whether you're stressed or anxious, sad or angry, suppressing those emotions just ensures that you will continue to carry them around with you at their full strength. When you can't express these feelings adequately and work through them with someone, simply acknowledging and allowing yourself to feel them can be the next best thing. Sit with it and pay attention to how it feels, both in terms of the thoughts it generates and the sensations it creates in your body. For many people, this can be a crucial tool for processing strong feelings, and while it won't immediately make everything better, returning to this technique again and again will help you heal and build your emotional resilience with time.

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Find Joy in Each Moment

Being present and really paying attention to your surroundings can help you notice the little things that other people miss and make any moment special. This can pertain to anything from hearing bird calls when you're out on a walk to spotting a rainbow in a fountain, hearing your favorite song on the speakers at the grocery store or just noticing other people's joy and feeling how infectious it can be. Even when your current situation is hard or you're feeling tired, bored or upset, keeping an eye out for something to be grateful for can put a smile on your face and make the world seem a little brighter.

 

Eager to learn about more ways you can make your life better? Click HERE to learn about becoming more articulate in order to make yourself heard.