Too often in life many of us get caught up with ourselves, in our minds, in our routines. It's easy to live a life centered around ourselves. But, it's important to keep in mind that we are a very small part of the world around us. There are so many things to be in awe of around us. So to keep yourself grounded and aware, here are some simple ways to widen your perspective.

Take a hike.

Hiking to the top of a mountain is not only good for your health physically, but it helps mentally too. Reaching the top after a long hike and looking out onto the view of whatever area you're in gives you a different perspective of the familiar. The physical difference from being on the ground versus being on the top of a mountain is enough to change the way you think and view the world. So pick a nice day, pick a mountain, and hike to the top.

Look at the stars.

One of my favorite things to do is look at the stars, especially during the summer. So many people glance up at the sky once in a while and disregard the millions of stars up there. But if you take the time to stop and just think about the fact that we are able to see exploding balls of gas in the sky from so far away, it's pretty amazing. It makes you realize how small your silly problems are, and how many other people there are in the world that are looking at the same sky.

Travel.

It doesn't have to be far, but traveling somewhere new or just going somewhere you've never been before is an easy way to change the way you perceive the world. It's been proven that traveling not only changes you, but also changes your perspective.

Help someone else.

Volunteering or just helping a friend or family member out with something simple can make you feel good and makes you grateful for what you have in your life.

Read a book.

Opening up the pages of someone else's story is another thing that helps to widen your perspective. You are putting yourself in someone else's shoes and seeing the world through their eyes, and that's what makes reading books such a valuable experience.

Put your phone down.

Of course to really appreciate any of these things, and anything in life really, you have to put your phone down. Turn the notifications off, tuck it away and look around you. Something magical happens when you choose to live in the moment rather than the digital lives so many of us lead.