How to live in the moment

Weave these simple strategies into your everyday life and enjoy a sense of contentment and calm, even through the most trying of times

Helpful hints to find your sense of serenity in the most trying of times

What if there was a scientifically proven stress reducer that was free, didn’t take a lot of time and could boost immunity, lower blood pressure and help you sleep better? Well there is – a technique called mindfulness. Before you roll your eyes or worry that you have to commit to an intense program, know that the essence of mindfulness is actually very simple. It’s about embracing the present and finding or creating moments of peaceful pause throughout your day. Being mindful is about paying attention to what’s happening right now, in a non-judgemental way.

Turn an everyday activity into a meditation

Technically, you can be mindful doing almost anything. It just means bringing your full attention and thoughts to whatever you’re doing. If you’re washing dishes, focus on the sound of water hitting the dish, the feel of your skin in protective gloves and the movement of your hands washing a dish. By doing so you get caught up in the moment and are able to relegate other concerns.

CREATE A LIST OF GOOD STUFF

Each day, take a few minutes to jot down a positive thought, note something that you’re thankful for or highlight something that makes you happy. It doesn’t matter how small it is – a comfy pair of shoes, beautiful weather or a friend or relative who is always there to listen. Write your thoughts down in a journal or on scraps of paper you keep in a jar and reread them whenever you need a pick-me-up.

SAVOUR THE FIRST FEW BITES

There are many moments that can be the most enjoyable in a day, but we o en miss them. Eating is one, so try giving it more a ention. At the very least, close your eyes for the first two bites so you notice the texture and flavour of the food in front of you. In doing this, you transform eating from a routine task to a mindful moment.

Doing these easy exercises will help you stay in the moment and retrain your body’s responses to stress

breathe

Practising deep breathing at least once a day will help you feel calmer and give you a default technique to handle stressful situations. Much of the breathing we do is too shallow. Belly breathing helps to relax muscles, relieve tension and increase the supply of oxygen and nutrients throughout your body. Maximise the benefits by doing a simple exercise where you exhale longer than each inhale. You breathe in for a count of three and out for a count of six. Easy!