Time: < 30 Minutes
STEP 1: Realize that your thoughts are not necessarily reality. When our minds are heavy with racing thoughts, filled with what-ifs and imagined scenarios, we usually believe them to be true or worry about them being true. Things that have not happened—and might never happen—can seem very real. Take back your control!
STEP 2: Use breathing to center you in the now. When you’re feeling stressed out, take a few deep breaths to calm yourself before taking action or allowing yourself to launch into overanalyzing the situation currently plaguing you. No matter what the situation, there is always time for a deep breath and a pause that will bring you back to the present moment.
STEP 3: When changes occur (especially negative changes) resist comparing them to how you want things to be or how they once were. Making these comparisons causes nothing added pain and stress. The more you accept what is happening now—even when it’s painful—the more you are able to enjoy your time in that situation, or with that special person or furry friend.
STEP 4: Choose to focus more on the happy moments than on the painful ones. No day is going to be perfect. As we all know, our minds are powerful things—and it’s up to us to guide them in a positive direction. It’s easy and fun to live in the now when your now is happy, but when times are tough, staying present is necessary.
STEP 5: Sit in silence. Become aware of your thoughts. Focus on your breathing. Notice the world around you. Become comfortable with silence and stillness. It will do you a world of good—and only takes 5 minutes. Mediation is a life-changing tool that you can employ anytime, anywhere. Returning to something as simple as your breath is a great way to tether yourself to something that remains consistent and reliable—it’s a great tool to enable you to constantly live in the moment!
