3 Easy Ways To Be More Present

How much do you want to stop the mind chatter? If you’re like me, it seems like it just won’t quit! On the bright side, I have a lot of great ideas, but on the flip-side sometimes these ideas are popping up at the worst times, like in the middle of the night or when I’m trying to relax in the evening. Sometimes the chatter is positive and entertaining and sometimes the chatter is just thoughts of rumination and negativity, and I find myself in the past overthinking a situation I had no control over or in the future where I haven’t even been yet, worrying about what might happen.

So, what’s the key to staying in the present, keeping thoughts positive and light, and keeping your emotions in check? These 3 simple steps are a great start:

The breath is a remarkable way to bring you to the present moment. Focusing on your breath brings you back into your body, keeps your mind focused and the extra oxygen is calming to your whole nervous system. Check out this post for some great breathing exercises you can easily incorporate into your daily routine. Use when you become aware of negative thinking patterns or if you feel extra anxious or stressed. Take one minute or ten, your body and mind will thank you.

Meditation is a proven stress reliever and seems to be all the rage right now. There are so many meditation resources out there to learn, continue or improve your practice. Some of my favorites are Insight Timer (there are about a million meditations to choose from – from guided to just plain music), and Gabby Bernstein’s meditations. The beauty of meditation is that you can meditate while practicing a breathing exercise or while you are moving. It doesn’t have to look a certain way for it to work.

Move. It’s simple, the body craves movement. Movement gets your blood pumping, it increases the amount of endorphins flowing in your body (the feel-good hormones), and it works off excess negative energy. We all do well with movement but it may look different for each of us. Find your movement, whether it is yoga, Pilates, walking, an at-home bodyweight workout, running, or strength training. Some people feel all the feels from a simple 10-minute stretch routine and some get what they need out of a high-intensity workout. Whatever it is, do it, your body will be healthier for it in the long run as will your mind.

These 3 things have become my non-negotiables over the past few months. I have fallen in love with Gabby Bernstein’s meditations – they are ultra calming, inspiring and leave me feeling lighter and more connected to the universe and myself. Having gone through somewhat of a health crisis in January, which I am still recovering from, breath-work has gotten me through moments of terrible pain and emotional strain when I didn’t think I could handle it anymore. Wim Hof’s breathing method became my go-to technique but I also used many others that you can find here. Movement has always been my go-to. It makes me feel like a well-adjusted human, keeps me happy, and calms my mind.

Incorporate these 3 things in your daily routine. Make them your non-negotiables even if you do 10 minutes a day! Put them on your to-do list. At worst, you just took 10 minutes for yourself and at best you feel 100% better! Practice makes perfect (if there was such a thing). The more you do it, the easier it is, the more you get out of it and the less it feels like one more thing you have to fit in your day. Create a habit of getting present and feeling good.

Do you practice these 3 things in your daily life? What are the benefits you feel in your life and mind?

Till next time ~ stay present ~ breathe ~ meditate ~ move ~

Erin