Many of us today appear to be constantly asking, "What's next?" as we go through life. We spend much of our time in high school contemplating our future educational plans. After we enroll in college, we prioritize getting our degree(s), building a successful profession, and settling down with a family. When we get "there," we tell ourselves, "I'll be happy."
Some people need an entire life to understand that they will never "arrive." True arrival and life can only be felt when all of our attention is on the here and now. In order to improve your "present moment awareness," try these five suggestions from counseling therapy.
Let Yourself Breathe in the Present
Even though breathing appears like such a natural and automatic process, many individuals are surprised to discover that they have been holding their breaths or just taking short breaths throughout the day. Imagine a brand-new infant napping. Watching a sleeping baby's belly, you can see how their breath inflates them like a balloon and then deflates them again. In this way, our blood can transport the right amount of oxygen to all parts of our body.
You might try a yoga and anxiety therapy technique by placing one hand on your chest and the other on your stomach. Take a deep breath in, and pay close attention to which hand moves. The majority of people use the chest-pat gesture. Keep your hand moving up and down and your attention on your breathing for the following 5 to 8 minutes. Feel any shifts in your state of mind or body? You may find that you are more at peace with yourself and the world around you. The concept of "breathing into the moment" describes this action.
Be Aware of Your Senses
There are five senses that humans possess. How frequently do you become aware of each one? Pay attention to what your senses are picking up right now, whether you're on a train, a walk down the street, eating, or doing something else that seems completely routine. To what do you attribute these noises? Smell? See? Feel? Taste? Try focusing your awareness on the sensations you're experiencing right now and see what happens. Being fully present means appreciating and investigating the sensations, thoughts, and emotions that arise in your body at any given instant.
Change Things Up a Bit
It's amazing how simple it is to fall into the habit of doing the bare minimum each day. This playa vista counseling method involves observing your actions throughout the day to see how much of what you do is based on principle as opposed to habit. When you're going through your day on autopilot, it's hard to be present. Begin with baby steps and make some seemingly insignificant adjustments. Try a new route to work or the store, a new restaurant for lunch, a new grocery shop, a new outfit, a new seat on the train, or a new location in your office to shake things up a bit. Simply because what we are experiencing is different from our usual routines, we are compelled to pay closer attention to it.
Think Before You Say
A good question to ask oneself during the day is, "How am I feeling right now?" Find out the answer, and then ask yourself, "What am I thinking about?" The way we think determines how we feel emotionally. Try it out and see if you can identify if you are feeling joy, sadness, or anger at this same now. A moment ago, you must have been wondering what I was thinking. These feelings cannot exist apart from the thoughts that prompted them. So, take a moment and examine your mental state.
Think of your thoughts as small clouds floating by you. Which clouds are you choosing to dwell upon, the beneficial or nutritious ones, or the detrimental ones? The results of a thorough examination of your thought life can be rather illuminating, and the conscious selection of more positive thoughts can have a remarkable impact on your level of satisfaction in the present.
Accept and welcome discomfort or pain
A human being is one who can sense suffering. Unfortunately, this is the case. When we experience distress or grief as a result of a personal loss or heartbreak, our natural inclination is to seek relief. There are both healthy and harmful ways to do this, but often the best way to feel better in the pursuit of living in the moment is simply to accept and even enjoy the suffering, as the very fact that we can feel pain shows us that we are still very much alive. If you find yourself experiencing discomfort, attempt to accept it and move on. Realizing that whatever you're feeling right now is just temporary and will pass, like waves on the beach. Believe that the agony will pass, because no feeling, good or bad, is everlasting.
By implementing the advice from counselors and life coaches, you might start to feel more present and engaged in your daily life.
