Can being more present in your daily life really make you happier?

Studies have shown that you’re happier if you spend less time worrying about the future or focusing on the past and more time living presently.

Being present means being fully conscious of the moment at hand, and free from the noise of internal dialogue.

It’s often associated with feelings of stillness or peace. Sensations often seem sharper.

Living in the Moment

Also called mindfulness, it’s a state of active, open, intentional attention on the present.

When you become mindful, essentially you realize that you are not your thoughts. You become an observer of your thoughts from moment to moment without judging them.

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate upcoming troubles. It’s to live in the present moment wisely and with sincere and intense conviction.

Go ahead and set your goals and plans for the future, or feel free to reminisce about good times from the past.

But putting the work in today is always the first step towards realizing your dreams tomorrow. Don’t allow dreaming about tomorrow replace living in the moment. Dreaming about the future is only productive when combined with mindful action taken today.

Appreciate The Small Things Around You

Soak in as much of today as you possibly can: the sights, sounds, smells, the emotions, the triumphs, and the sorrows. These are all in our daily lives but we often forget to take them in and truly appreciate them.

Start small. Notice sensory details about routine activities.

Some tips:

• Notice your surroundings.
• Focus on one thing at a time and avoid multi-tasking.
• Be mindful of what you do.
• Practice meditation.
• Accept things as they are, not how you want them to be.
• Practice deep breathing.
• Be thankful for what you have.

Living in the Present is the Key to Happiness

Our lives are more stressful when our thoughts are cluttered with previous arguments, hurtful memories, or anxieties and fears of what’s to come.

Living in the present, we’re never engulfed in the flames of the past or in the fear of the impending future. Use that to your advantage to forge ahead happily and continue on your individual positive path forward.

Read More:

How do you Live in the Present

The Dalai Lama