With all of the things you should or could be doing with your time at this time of year, it can be hard to stay present and focused. Last week, I gave you my tips on how to be present. Now that you know to stop and live in the moment, I’m helping you take the next step. Today, I’m sharing my favorite ways to stay present.
Limit Your Distractions
The holiday season is filled with lights and decorations, holiday movies, and music we know and love. It should come as no surprise that it can all be pretty distracting! But if you want to be and stay present, your first step should be limiting your distractions. They pull your attention and shift your focus to things you don’t need or want to concentrate on.
Limit the distractions that keep you from doing the things you want to do. Turn off your phone! (I know, that’s a tough one.) Shut off the TV and silence the radio. Put a stop to things that take your mind away from where you need to focus.
Give to Others
Another way to stay present is to give. Give someone your time, a gift, or your attention. When you give, you’re present in that moment, because you’re physically and mentally acting with generosity. You’re watching someone receive your gift and enjoying that feeling of sharing something positive. It’s an amazing thing to do. I love giving, and I do it all year. Giving lets you stay present and enjoy some wonderful and selfless experiences.
Gratitude Journaling
My favorite way to stay present is – you guessed it – writing in my Gratitude Journal. Gratitude has gotten me to where I am now, which is the best time of my life. Yes, I’m still learning and growing, but I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. Amazing people surround me, and I’m thankful for that. And for me to stay in this moment in my life, journaling all the things I’m thankful for is incredibly important.
Focusing on gratitude makes me happy, helps me stay present, and keeps me from worrying about the past or stressing about the future. That’s why practicing gratitude every day is one of my top ways to stay present.
Breathe to Stay Present
You know what? When all else fails, breathe. Take deep breaths, hold them for a few seconds, and then slowly exhale them out. I like to do it with my eyes closed, but you don’t have to. Deep breathing helps me to stay present and focus on what’s happening right now. I can feel its effects throughout my entire body as it grounds me in the moment. Deep breathing lets me quit stressing and worrying, and deal with what’s happening in the present. Everything slows down, and my mind lets loose of anything weighing on it.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my tips on staying present! Now that you’ve heard what works for me, I want to know how you stay present. Send me your tips at michelle@michellesukow.com. And if you try any of these suggestions, I’d love to hear how they help you!