Mental Health: Get out of your head & into the moment
We often get so caught up in future plans and worrying about what’s happened in the past that we forget to just live in the present. Being present is not only important for your mental health, but it can be beneficial for your physical health too. Being grounded and mindful of the moment can help you become more aware of your body’s needs, limit stress, and even improve your physical fitness. Let's take a look at some tips on how to stay present and grounded in the moment.
Breathe Deeply
One of the easiest ways to ground yourself in the present moment is by taking a few deep breaths. Focus on your breathing as you breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Follow each breath for a few minutes until you start to feel more relaxed and centered. You can also add visualization techniques like imagining a wave washing away any worries or stress from your body as you exhale.
Move Your Body
When we move our bodies, it helps us focus on the physical sensations that come with movement—tension in our muscles as we stretch or fatigue as we exercise—and this will help us stay grounded in the present moment. Take a walk outside or do some yoga poses; both activities will help us stay focused on what we’re doing rather than worrying about things that haven’t even happened yet.
Focus on Your Senses
Being mindful of your senses is an excellent way to stay grounded in the moment. Pay attention to what you are seeing, feeling, hearing, smelling, or tasting. You can also pay attention to where your body is in space (proprioception) and what is going on inside your mind/thoughts (interception). You may notice things that you have overlooked before such as colors or smells from nature or a calming sound from a nearby stream or fountain. By focusing on these sensations instead of worrying about future events, it will help bring you back into reality and make you more conscious about what is happening around and within you right now.
Be Kind to Yourself
When things don't go as planned or if something unexpected happens it is easy for us to get frustrated with ourselves or feel guilty for not doing something differently or better. Instead of being hard on yourself when this happens try being kinder instead by accepting that mistakes happen and they are part of learning experiences instead of failures. This will help remind yourself that it is okay not to be perfect all the time and provide greater emotional resilience when trying new activities or experiences.
Grounding yourself in the present moment doesn't require much effort but it does take practice! Whether it's taking slow, deep breaths, moving your body, or getting creative with a hobby, find an activity that works for you and stick with it so that you can learn how to better manage stressful situations without letting them consume your entire day! With these tips under your belt, you'll be able to stay connected with yourself and focused on living life one mindful moment at a time!
