In a world filled with social media, stifling competition amongst people everywhere, thirst for job opportunities or finding the next big “thing”, and ballooning student loan debt; it seems practically impossible for anyone to truly be able to live in the moment. As humans, it’s easy for us to absorb the negative energy surrounding us and become consumed with it, forgetting to live in the present. Basic mind, body, and soul begins when we ground ourselves, and it’s what I believe to be one of the fundamentals to living a happy, healthy, and fulfilled life—which is why today’s post is dedicated to tricks that’ll help all of us live in the present moment more.
Unplug
It seems like I say this a lot, but that just goes to show how beneficial unplugging can really be. It’s important that you take accountability and responsibility when it comes to cutting the online cord. A lot of people say social media has given them newfound anxieties and insecurities, and when your mind is filled with those things you’re going to have a more difficult time being present.
Make sure you set aside time each day to unplug from your phone, iPad, laptop, etc. Even if you don’t suffer from social media induced stress or anxiety, it’s equally important you do this as well. When you’re focused on your own life and not the lives of the people you follow online, you’ll be able to breathe better, think with more clarity, and gain more self-confidence. Unplugging is one of the easiest things you can do to help yourself be more present. I myself make a conscious effort to unplug every day and have found I’m happier overall and not as distracted in general. In addition, my boyfriend and friends have said that unplugging also makes them feel better and more present as well. Lastly, if your job is social media or you’re trying to build/grow a brand on social media, unplugging each and every day will be extremely beneficial to you as well, ultimately helping you focus on the task at hand and your end goal, rather than the lives of others.
Deep breaths
When you find yourself overwhelmed, pause, and take a few deep breaths. This a trick a lot of us have probably heard of or have implemented ourselves already, but taking the time to do it each day forces us to focus on what’s right in front of us. By taking a few deep breaths, you’re essentially acting out the saying “stop and smell the roses.” If you don’t stop to smell the roses, you’ll never be able to appreciate or feel connected to anything.
Get outside/look outside
This past fall I really found myself enjoying going on walks, something I’d never particularly cared for before. It was great being able to get outside and appreciate the simple beauty of nature. However, if you live somewhere with brutal winters/cold (like myself), getting outside may prove to be more difficult in the winter months than others. (Actually, a lot of months, let’s be real.) If you find you’re unable to get outside, try taking a couple of minutes to look out your window and appreciate the beauty of the world. The world is so big, and taking the time to just look around at it can give us a whole new perspective on things.
Grounding exercises
Implementing grounding exercises daily is a great way to ensure living in the present moment. Grounding exercises teach us to be thankful and to be still. These exercises can vary, and you may find yourself connecting better with certain ones more than others, but don’t be afraid to try new things! Some simple grounding exercises include:
- Meditation
- Use of crystals
- Taking three deep breaths with your eyes closed
Out of all of the grounding exercises listed above, the one I always turn to is the use of crystals. I’ve tried meditating with them, but I’ve found that simply holding them in my hand, feeling their natural vibrations and energy, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath is most effective. I go over some of the crystals I reach for from time to time in this post here.
