Have dinner around a dinner table, rather than in front of the TV, so that you have more time to connect. Go on road trips, sightsee, or share new experiences together. Visit relatives that you don’t see as often or make time to call or write them.
Keep a calendar and mark down any special days ahead of time, so you don’t forget things like game days, dance rehearsal, or anniversaries. By keeping a schedule, you’ll be better able to prioritize it.
Have coffee or tea with friends, and see what going on in their lives. Meet up with a friend regularly. Don’t let school work, your job, or your daily chores consume you so that all you do is text or email them. Connecting in person, rather than online or by phone, can have a lasting impact.
Set aside time to make them feel special. Showing empathy is part of being “present in the moment. “[2] X Research source
Be open to listening to those around you by taking the time to really hear what they are saying. Notice their body language, and tune-in to their actions.
Humor can make ordinary things seem fun.
Make a special meal for your partner. Be creative. Putting in effort that goes beyond the usual routine is often rewarding for both of you. Give a small gift to show your love. Whether it’s a single rose, a handmade craft, or a card, it makes a world of difference to show you care. Small surprises can become lasting memories and help to build stronger relationships.
Sometimes the smallest gesture of kindness can change someone’s outlook on their day, their week, their year, or their life.
Being present “on purpose” through a conscience direction of awareness. Being attentive to the present moment. Your mind may be racing with things to do, and people to see, but instead you focus on the simpler things. Being non-judgmentally aware. By paying more attention to the moment, you experience more about the world around you. You may listen or see more than before, because of your heighten awareness.
Surround yourself with positive people who don’t always focus on the negative. Focus on the present moment, and find something in your line of vision that makes you happy. Hold that image in your mind, and focus on it in a positive way.
Walk along a beach, river, or lake. The sound of water can be calming. Notice the birds in the trees or sky. Watching a large bird migration can be magical. Go star-gazing. The universe is big and beautiful.
Sometimes when we see a lot of flowers at once, we forget the beauty that each has. Look at one flower closely. Notice things about it that you never saw before.
