Present-moment living, getting in touch with your now, is at the heart of effective living. When you think about it, there really is no other moment you can live. Now is all there is, and the future is just another present moment to live when it arrives.
~Dr. Wayne Dyer
You may have heard loads of comments like “Be present at the moment”, “It is this moment, that is all, don’t let it fade” and “Avoid getting caught up in the thoughts of past and the future”. All of these comments boil down to just one thing that is, it is important to live in the present.
How to live in the moment?
The era in which we live has made living in the present tremendously difficult. There is always something in the future that we are preparing ourselves for. Even our past is so well documented that you need to do zero efforts to get lost in it. We have made this incredibly fast-paced life, hectic schedules, and base level anxiety as the new norm. There is a tendency of getting sucked up in your past without even realizing it. Your past and future thoughts can leave you totally worn out.
Following are some practices that can help you live more in the moment:
1. Truly listen
Make sure you listen to people who are talking to you and acknowledge their feelings. You may reflect on their feeling to build a better connection. Active listening is the best exercise for this, say things like “Let me see if I get what you just said” and repeat what the other person said. This makes the other person feel important, especially when they know that they are heard. It makes you better engage in conversation better, where most people fail.
2. Be cognizant of your thoughts
This is a tough one to do. We, on average have more than 70,000 thoughts in our minds per day. If we try to become aware of what we are thinking even for a short duration every day. We can steer our thoughts and take charge of them. There are multiple things you can do like jotting down your thoughts or monitoring them. It is important that you catch the right thoughts that you think are making you change how you feel.
3. Savor what you eat
We reside in a world that moves very fast. Most of the time we ourselves are in a hurry and do not enjoy the food we consume. Now, at your next meal, slow down your pace and savor the food. Pay heed to the aroma and every flavor in your mouth. Bring all the senses together and focus on the food you eat.
4. Breath Consciously
Focusing on your breath is ancient and the most helpful exercise to bring you alive in the moment. When you focus and monitor your breath, you get some control over it. You can slow down, breathe deeper and evenly. There are a plethora of health benefits which include reduction of stress, controlled blood pressure, and a boost in energy. The best part about it is that it brings us to the present moment, which prevents negative thoughts and clears our head.
5. Avoid multitasking
Human beings are not made for multi-tasking. Even though we comply with doing multiple things together because it gives us the impression of higher productivity. According to neurological and psychological research juggling between tasks is not at all effective. Research showed that multitasking gives the illusion of productivity and makes the person emotionally satisfied. You will do a favor on yourself if you focus on just one thing at a time.
6. Do an act of kindness every day
A simple act of kindness with the right intention can not be done without you being in the moment. When you try to bring a smile on someone’s face you yourself get engaged in the moment. There are just so many ways to be kind to people. Doing so would not just make the other person happier but it will have a lasting effect on you.
7. Show more gratitude
Being thankful and showing gratitude helps you increase your happiness by 25%. When we practice it, we actively participate in the activity of your mind. Doing so brings positive thoughts as well as puts you in the present moment.