In our previous post we shared some tips on how to be mindful and live in the present moment. While it sounds like a simple thing to do, staying present can be fairly challenging, especially with all of the distractions in today’s world. The good news is that we have a few more tips that will serve as tools for keeping you focused on the current moment.
Focus. Not all of us have the ability to drown out every little sound around us and hone in on the conversation at hand. It’s hard enough ignoring the many external distractions like noise, cell phones, music, and the conversations of others. Add the internal distractions of worry, fear, and the future, and you’ve got a whole lot of chaos going on. So how does anyone manage to focus on any given moment? It takes a lot of mental exercise but if you really concentrate on living in the moment, you will find that it gets easier over time. When you are in conversation with others, make it a point to make direct eye contact with the person you are speaking with. It helps to repeat what they’ve said every so often, so you absorb what they are telling you.
Put down the phone. Cell phones are one of the biggest sources of distraction. It’s easy to get lost in a chain of text messages and even easier to lose yourself while scrolling through social media updates. As a society, we are more distracted than ever before. Never miss out on moments because you have your head in a phone. Instead, put the phone aside and focus on that game of hide and go seek with your grandchild, or really immerse yourself in making that meal.
Pray and Attention to the Wonders of Nature. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again…prayer and attention to the wonders of nature is one of the biggest contributors to staying present. Not only does prayer and attention to nature better your focus and concentration, it also reduces anxiety and increases compassion. And let’s be honest, all of us could benefit from a less anxious life that is filled with compassion. Try to start out small and dedicate three minutes of prayer a day. The key is to focus on your breathing in a quiet place, where you won’t be disturbed. Speak from your heart as you sit in silence and breathe. You can also try praying while you are on a walk or sitting outside surrounded by nature. I pray when I ride my bike or when I am on the chairlift looking at nature on the way up the hill. Sometimes I sing my version of a prayer, it feels wonderful.
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