A Quick Way To Get Present

Did you read the title of this and think it said 'A Quick Way To Get Presents?' That would totally make me click on something. I don't have a present as such for you but I do have a great tip to get present, so think of it like a present only it doesn't have nice wrapping paper. Or a card. And I also didn't spend much on it.

I think it’s helpful for all of us to learn to stay more present because it gives youso many more options about how to deal with things without being pulled into the past or the future.

Many of the things that I read about staying present focus exclusively on breathing but I think we miss a trick if we don’t use all our senses.

So I'd love you to try this easy exercise to really connect with your surroundings and re-centre yourself when you are getting too caught up in thoughts and feelings and slipping into the dark realms of overwhelm.

Stop. Look around. Focus on your breathing for a few seconds.

Notice 5 things you can see. Say them to yourself (quietly, if you are on the tube).

Notice 3 things you can hear.

Notice what you can smell

Push your feet into the floor. Notice how your body feels.

Now, do you notice a change? Are you able to be in the present moment without judgement? What does that feel like?

I like this exercise as a way of dealing not just with stressful moments but also as a way of really enjoying and savouring happy moments too. I’m not just all about the stress, you know?

Thanks for reading and I hope you find this useful.

Dr Sam

If you liked this, then try these:
How To Beat The Motivation Trap
How To Press Pause





