7 Ways to be More Present on March 7th.

It is March 7th, which means for students, that we are 8 weeks into the semester with 7 weeks left to go! We are in “midterm season” with what seems to consist of endless responsibilities and things going on in our brains. It is super easy to get caught up in the craziness and forget to stop and be present in the moment. We are also just a day away from spring break! Whether you are thrilled to have time away from school or you are counting down the days until you are back, we need to learn how to soak it all in. 

So on this March 7th, 2024: Let’s talk about 7 ways to be more present. 

Pause: Literally. Stop what you are doing and take a deep breath. Wiggle your fingers and toes. Feel the ground beneath you or the soles of your shoes. Look around whatever room you’re in and notice things. Notice the person’s sweater and the sound that person’s shoes make as they squeak across the floor. Notice the sun beaming in from the window and the position your body is in. Now take a deep breath. 

Stop scrolling: This is that dreaded piece of advice no one wants to hear. Our phones are incredible tools that help us connect with others and entertain us. But it is not always helpful to see what everyone else is doing at all times. When we see other people’s lives we compare our lives to theirs and we either feel momentarily better about ourselves or more likely, we feel worse. But regardless, we are not present. We can’t appreciate our own lives because we fall into the trap of comparison. 

Go outside: Going outside, especially in the sunny weather, is clinically proven to boost serotonin levels in your brain. That means the sun creates happy hormones! Even without boosting serotonin, going outside can make you more aware of your surroundings. As you walk, or sit outside you feel the breeze on your face or the rain hit your skin reminding you that you are human and that you are alive. 

Choose to be grateful: Gratitude is powerful. As Melody Beattie says, gratitude has the power to turn what we have into enough, it forces us to change perspectives to appreciate what is happening around us and not think about what’s going wrong. Noticing the small things has such potential to radically change your life. Noticing and being grateful for things like the sidewalk that keeps you safe from cars, the Panera SipCclub that keeps you caffeinated, or the glasses that help you see. Gratitude changed things.

Journal: Write down what happens in your days! Journaling is healthy for so many reasons, but especially because it forces you to reflect. Whether inwardly on your emotions or externally about your day. You have to evaluate where you currently stand and that reminds you where you are. It reminds your body and brain to just be for a second. 

Hang out with people you love: Be intentional about who you spend time with, and when you’re spending time with people make eye contact. Notice how they twirl their hair or tap their foot when they are anxious. Notice how their face lights up when they talk about something they love. Listen, I mean really listen to what they say. Even if it’s your roommate who you spend lots of time with, choose to notice more today than you did yesterday. 

Savor the moment: When I think of the word savor, I think of a savory snack. Like a salty pretzel. But to savor the moment means to look around and take in the moment with all of your senses. It’s that feeling when you’re with your friends and you are all laughing over an inside joke and your insides get all warm. Like butterflies, but more calm than that. It’s joy, it’s you being present realizing that you love the moment you’re experiencing. When we view life as fleeting, we tend to take more risks and savor the moment more. College, for instance, this experience is only about 4 years. That is not that much time, so take risks, and have fun, but also pause and realize how cool it is to be here! 

There is power in being present. There is power in soaking it in. Life is short, we are fragile, and we are capable of amazing things, but none of that matters if we do not stop and realize what a gift it is to be alive. So today, March 7th, it might be a significant day for you, it might be just another day, either way, pause, and be present because this day will never happen again.