Do you look forward or backward more often than being here and now? You’re not alone! This is how our brains are evolutionarily created. But to be happier, we also need to be more present. Therefore, I give here five tips on how you can become more present in everyday life!
Feel better by practicing being present
From an evolutionary perspective, it has benefited us as a species to have a mind that not only focuses on the present but that often wanders between the future and the past. In this way, we have been able to anticipate dangers and learn from our mistakes.
Today we know that the ability to be present in the present is linked to positive emotions, while living too much in the future or in the past creates feelings of, for example, anxiety, stress and depression. By practicing mindfulness, we can become calmer and feel better in everyday life. Pilates can help with dealing with stress.
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Tips for more mindfulness and presence in everyday life
- Do not use your mobile phone as an alarm clock. When we start the day with the mobile phone in our hand, it often leads to us becoming reactive. We start to react and act on the flow on FB, the notices, the email and the fair we received during the night. Then it is unfortunately easy for us to continue in the reactive ruts for the rest of the day.
- Create beautiful morning routines. How we start the day often affects how the rest of our day looks. Try to have some activity in your morning routine where you consciously try to be present with your attention and your senses, for example in the shower, during toothbrushing or when you drink your coffee.
- Do one thing at a time. Doing many things at the same time is impossible, so what we do when we multitask is that we change focus, which makes us inefficient and stressed. Switching between different focuses makes us feel divided and not present in what we do.
- Pay attention to your surroundings or your body. Consciously directing attention to trees, plants or the sky can, according to studies, create a feeling of presence, reverence and space. You can also choose to consciously direct your attention to your body, such as your feet, how it feels to get up, walk, etc.
- Pay attention when you have a nice moment. “Ah now I have a good time.” It is easy for the gold nuggets to pass in everyday life without us noticing them. But they are far too precious to pass unnoticed!