Two Simple Practices To Be More Present

What does it mean to be more present? And why would you want to be?

The human body is amazing. It’s doing all sorts of things to keep us alive and keep us going, all the time! Meanwhile, most of the time, we’re thinking about the past, jumping ahead to the never-ending to-do list, or wishing something were different.

I’ve been thinking a lot about being present lately. The weather this year has been just amazing. I know it won’t last, and I really want to take it all in and enjoy every beautiful moment. The blue skies, the leaves, the way the light glimmers through the studio windows in the afternoons- it’s just perfect. Being present allows me to really savor and be with this season.

Being present also allows us to tune in to our bodies. This can help with all kinds of things, including noticing how we really feel about a situation, what feels tight or sore or needs a little extra TLC, and how we’re feeling emotionally and in our nervous system.

I’ve found that these practices also help me enjoy the simple pleasures of life. They can be helpful if you’ve experienced a fall or are working on improving your balance, too.

Neither practice takes much time, and you can do them every day, pretty much anywhere.

Grounding

Grounding is simply checking in and noticing how connected you feel to the ground. You can do this standing or sitting, with shoes on or shoes off, inside or outside.

Start by noticing whether you feel both feet making contact with the floor. Do you feel equal weight side to side? What do you notice as you bring your awareness to your toes, the balls of your feet, your arches, and your heels?

Do you notice more awareness on one side than the other, or does it feel similar?

You’re asking these questions not with judgment, but with curiosity. Often, simply bringing your awareness to what you’re noticing allows something to shift, and you may notice a change.

You can also notice whether you feel a connection between your feet, legs, and hips. Is it easy to feel that connection, or is it more challenging? Can you sense that connection extending throughout your whole body?

There’s no need to change anything or make something happen. Just take a moment to notice what’s there.

Orienting

For this practice, I invite you to slowly move your head around and look at your surroundings, wherever you are.

What are your eyes drawn to? Let them take in whatever catches your interest, and then allow them to move somewhere else. Notice colors and shapes. What is it like in your body as you take in these images? What do you notice as the muscles in your neck move?

Next, as you move your head and eyes and take in your environment, see if you can also stay connected to your feet.

How does that experience feel different?

Bringing It All Together

Both of these practices help slow things down and bring your attention to what’s happening inside your body, as well as how you feel in connection with your environment.

There isn’t a “right” way to do these exercises. They offer simple ways to check in with yourself and notice what’s happening in the moment.

I try to do these practices several times throughout the day. They’re easy to fit into everyday life, and I love how they invite me to pause, reconnect, and be a little more present.

If you try them, I’d be curious to hear how it goes for you!