{"id":22315,"date":"2020-12-07T23:11:41","date_gmt":"2020-12-07T23:11:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/?p=22315"},"modified":"2024-12-09T19:44:49","modified_gmt":"2024-12-09T19:44:49","slug":"how-to-be-more-present","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/how-to-be-more-present\/","title":{"rendered":"Being More Present Is the Secret to Happiness\u2014Here\u2019s How to Do It"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sometimes, the best gift you can give to yourself and your loved ones comes without a price tag. Here, <\/em>Elizabeth Winkler, MA, LMFT<\/em><\/a> guides us on how to be more present.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

With all of the day-to-day distractions we deal with, it can be difficult to enjoy the moment you\u2019re in. Whether you\u2019re thinking of an upcoming work deadline or an upsetting news story, staying present seems nearly impossible these days. But living in the moment can benefit your mental and physical health in extremely impactful ways. Below, a therapist shares <\/em>how to be more present<\/em>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

What Does It Mean to Be Present<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

Being present means being grounded in the here and now, says Elizabeth Winkler, MA, LMFT, <\/a>a therapist and certified meditation<\/a> teacher in Beverly Hills.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

Being present means you’re not running through your to-do list in your head, thinking about that vacation you’re taking next month, or dwelling on how your meeting that day didn’t go as well as you’d hoped.<\/p>\n\n\n

To connect with the present,\u00a0 “simply ponder: How do I know my body is here?\u201d <\/em>Winkler says. \u201cThis is your presence\u2014your awareness. Spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle calls it the Power of Now<\/em><\/a>, and I call it the power of presence.”<\/p>\n\n\n

Why Is It Important to <\/strong>Be Present<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

You might have your defenses up about the importance of staying present. After all, the past has a major impact on us all. And of course, we have goals and desires (and tasks and to-dos) for the future. So why should we step back, quiet our busy minds, and tune into the immediate environment? Here are two reasons why you should focus on being in the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n

Presence Is the Foundation for Your Future<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

“All of life is happening in this present moment,\u201d Winkler says. \u201cSo in order for you to make shifts and manifest your dreams, you must be able to access presence. When you perfect this skill, presence becomes your superpower.”<\/p>\n\n\n

Presence Promotes Positivity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

We have anywhere from 6,000<\/a> to 70,000 thoughts per day<\/a>. And no matter where yours fall on this spectrum, it’s still a whole lot\u2014and they tend to accelerate in a ripple effect.<\/p>\n\n\n

“These thoughts move through your mind like drops of water,” Winkler begins. “We know that where attention goes, energy flows. When we focus our attention on a worrying thought, this drop of water quickly becomes a thought stream, river, or ocean of worry. We find ourselves drowning in this ocean of worries, feeling lost and isolated.”<\/p>\n\n\n

Essentially, when you learn how to be more present, you’ll be able to make room for more positive thoughts, sensations, and experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Serene<\/figure>\n\n\n

Benefits of Staying Present<\/h2>\n\n\n

Staying present is a major tenet of mindfulness and meditation, both of which have been proven to reduce stress and burnout<\/a>. Winkler outlines the other benefits<\/a> of such practices, which include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n