10 Ways To Stay Present And Be Happy

I was a shy but happy kid, I didn't worry much, I laughed a lot, got through High School O.K., had a few rough patches in college but for the most part I was always pretty happy.  As I grew older my responsibilities grew too and like most people, I started to overextend myself.  I said "yes" to everything, I was a master multi-tasker;  wife, mother, full-time employee, homemaker...  I lived in a haze running mindlessly from task to task, I was sick constantly, extremely stressed, unhappy, unfulfilled and never truly present.  Feeling a breaking point looming I took a yoga class, and for the first time, in a long time (maybe ever) I was permitted to relax.  I felt so good after that class I stayed for the free meditation that followed.  I immediately felt a shift in my perception and kept after it.  That class changed the course of my life. I slowly started to take back my life, to accept responsibility for my own happiness and to work hard for it.  I discovered that being present and mindful are two very important keys to being happy.  It took a while but I'm happier and healthier now than I have ever been in my entire life.  

So if you're stressed out, burned out or just plain miserable, here's 10 tips on how to dig your way out and find happiness again:

1. Meditate.

I know you've heard it a lot, but it really does work.  There are numerous studies that show that within just eight weeks of meditating your brain chemistry begins to change.  The very first step to happiness starts with your thoughts, meditation teaches you how to control your thoughts and therefore makes every following step easier.

“You need to learn how to select your thoughts just the same way you select your clothes every day. This is a power you can cultivate. If you want to control things in your life so bad, work on the mind. That's the only thing you should be trying to control.”
― Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love 

2.  Use Your Breath.

Your breath is your basic life force.  A force that can bring you back to present, back to your body .  There are many different breathing techniques.  I practice and teach three part breathing most often but there are many techniques that work.  The breath is a powerful and simple way to anchor yourself in the present moment. Whenever you are having a hard time staying in the now take a few deep, audible breaths.

3. Practice Yoga.

Stretching, strengthening, balancing and following the instructors cues all teach you to stay present and focused on your body.  Practicing yoga regularly helps instill and reinforce mindfulness.

4. Trust The Universe. 

Trust your path, follow your desires but let things happen organically, trust that the universe will send you a sign and lead you to where you belong.  Every situation in your life, every task you complete, every place you visit, every person you meet, every conversation you have, every THING is exactly as it is supposed to be.  Don't struggle against the power of the universe, work with it or better yet make the universe work for you!

"The master leads by emptying people’s minds and filling their cores,
by weakening their ambition and toughening their resolve.
he helps people lose everything they know, everything they desire,
and creates confusion in those who think that they know.
practice non-doing, and everything will fall into place." ~ tao te ching

5.  Do What You Love.

When you are doing what you enjoy you are automatically present because you are choosing that activity.  The more you do what you enjoy the more practice you get at being present. Say "no" (with love) to people or things that you don't like, and limit your responsibilities. 

"Spend as much time as you can doing the things that you love as frequently and as passionately as humanly possible. " ~me

6.  Value Your Health And Your Time.

To be happy and present you must fully appreciate your two most valuable possessions:

Your health and your time. Value, respect and protect both.  They are fleeting and fragile.  Exercise, eat healthy whole foods and sleep deeply. Get your yearly check-ups, take your vitamins, keep up with your hygiene and take pride in your appearance. Spend your time wisely, doing what you enjoy.  Don't waste time dwelling on past mistakes, or worrying about the future.  You can't change the past, you can't predict the future.  Understand that your time here is limited, don't waste one second of it.

"The past is history, the future is a mystery, and this moment is a gift. That is why this moment is called "the present."" ~ Unknown

7. Be Sensitive.

Feel and appreciate warm breeze hitting your face, a soft blanket on your shoulder, savor that taste of dark chocolate on your tongue, enjoy the sound of a piano, watch a hawk soar across the sky or the sun setting over the ocean.  Your senses are there for a reason, you can't use them up, they help you notice, enjoy and appreciate all of the beautiful things that exist in this world, to bring you happiness and to keep you present.

8.  Be Real.

Being present is all about being real.  Accepting everything that makes you, you.  Surrender to your emotions, your perceived imperfections and that surrender will help you start to connect with yourself on a deeper level.   Let your emotions and opinions flow, love yourself and all that you are.  Spend time alone, the more you enjoy your own company the more present you will want to be.  Get comfortable in your own skin, practice loving kindness, silence the negative thoughts about yourself by quickly and repeatedly replacing them with compliments instead.

9. Be Aware.

Focus on one task at a time and stay on it.  Work slowly and methodically and remain aware of the task at hand.  Be aware of your mind wandering away so you can keep bringing it back.  The more you practice this the better you will get at staying focused. 

10.  Be determined.

It is not easy to be present, or to stay present.  It is a lifelong endeavor and commitment.  Keep trying, never give up.  Use present people as your muse, follow the suggestions above, some will resonate some won't, but if you keep at it you will figure out what works for you and in this quest even the tiniest bit of success carries amazing benefits and can improve your quality of life exponentially.

The bottom line is this: The more present and mindful you are the happier you will be.  You will be more accepting and aware of things beyond your control, you will be more patient, kinder and calmer.  The benefits are so vast it's impossible to list them all, but I promise you that if you stay the course and work hard before you know it you will be on your way to happy. So get started! No time like the present right?