4 Guidelines for Living in the Present

Living in the present is a way to be healthy. Most people live stuck in the past, in an event that does not allow them to move forward. Who wouldn’t have liked to go back in time at some point in their life to erase something they didn’t like? The past is part of history and it is what has brought you to the present so that you can write a new one. It is as bad to stay stuck in the past as it is to want to travel to the future.

It is not a question of time, but of mind. The problem with people is that they see happiness as a goal and not as a path. Then they focus on reaching that goal. How many times have you said or heard: “I want to be happy”? And how many have you said: “I am happy”? It’s about releasing ballast and turning that bad experience into learning and something positive.

Stop the thoughts that make you return to the past again and again, you will see that it stops being important and you begin to be happy. Focus on living in the present by practicing the here and now (mindfulness) and you will see the advantages it brings you. You will see some below.

Advantages of living in the present

When you leave the past behind, you don’t think or talk about it and you focus all your attention on every moment of the present, your life begins to transform.

1. You will enjoy every moment more

When you focus on the present, you enjoy the little things more. For example, your meals taste better, your shower feels great, the street air when you walk is a caress for your senses.

2. Less stress

Worry about the past and the future causes stress. Meditation is a discipline that will help you focus on the present moment, if you find it difficult to start putting it into practice on your own. Worries are reduced; rather it’s like they cease to exist because you just have to live in the moment. There is only your breath and you in the present.

3. Your personal relationships will improve

When you work on being in the present moment, this is carried into all areas of your life. Also that of personal relationships, in such a way that when you are with a loved person you are fully attentive and you become the best version of a friend, father, mother, sister, etc. And this creates great bonds of union between you.

4. You will be able to finish each task well

When you work on the present moment, you are also educating full attention in everything you do and your thoughts stop repeating the tasks you have pending to do and do them directly. You prevent your thoughts from distracting you from how truly important it is to do them and do them well, so in the end you get the job done.

Guidelines for living in the present

Do you want to know what things you can do to live in the present and start enjoying a full life? Let’s get to the practical part.

1. Unload your mind

If you go over the same thing over and over again, it will prevent you from moving forward, or you will do it more slowly.. Grab a pen and paper and write everything you feel, everything your mind wants to talk about, openly. The important thing is that the thoughts go down to paper and out of your head. Do the same with obligations. Write down everything you have to do on a sheet of paper, organize them and prioritize them.

2. Do everyday tasks slowly

Put on some coffee or whatever you drink in the morning, sit down and drink it quietly, without a phone, television or anything. You will see how it tastes different and you will enjoy its flavor and its company more.

3. Break the pattern of negative thoughts

And how is this done? Laugh. Yes. Laugh out loud, get up, jump, scream. All of this will help you get out of the negative pattern in your head.. When those thoughts come to you, observe them, but don’t get involved. Don’t be part of them and you will realize that you are not your thoughts. You are just an observer and have nothing to do with them. Let them go.

4. Let go of the need to control

Life is much more beautiful when you open yourself to surprise. It’s okay if things didn’t go as you expected. Accept and learn from mistakes. It does not mean that you are passive in the face of what happens, but it is good for your mental health to learn to identify what you can control and what you cannot.