How do I live in the moment?

Living in the moment can be hard. The best way to live in the moment is to try your best to stop focusing on the past and worrying about the future. It's easy to let past experiences influence the way we feel now. Bad memories can creep up and make us upset when we don't want to be. Part of living in the moment is trying to shut those bad memories down when they try to make you upset. When you catch yourself thinking about bad things from the past, look around you and try to name one good thing about what's going on right now. Secondly, living in the moment means not worrying excessively about the future. This can be really challenging for some people. Focus on what you're doing right now instead of all of the things that can go wrong a year from now. Living in the moment is challenging but can really benefit your overall mental health.

You just do. Make a bucket list and anytime you get the chance do something that's on the bucket list. Be spontaneous, be fearless, be who you feel to be!

The most effective way to live in the moment is to stop living in your head. Thoughts of the past, what you should have done or they shouldn't have done can pull the best of us in a downward spiral of disappointment and regret. Thoughts of the future involve worry and doubt and can lead to extreme anxiety. To live in the moment is to get 'out of your head' and pay attention to want is right in front of you. Many people miss opportunities, chances of bonding with family and friends or simple gestures of kindness because they are so caught up in the incessant stream of thoughts in their minds. And believe it or not, this is a habit! You can break this habit by first becoming aware when you are not fully present in the moment. Then train yourself to switch gears. Intentionally bring yourself to the present moment by fully engaging in conversations by actively listening to people you are around. Use all of your senses to bring yourself back to the present moment. The sights, sounds, the smell; engage all of your senses to switch gears. It is fall and the leaves span a glorious array of colors; look at the beauty. Make it part of your day to see the sun rise or set. And always remember to stay in tune with everything you are grateful for in your day. Keeping a gratitude journal has been scientifically proven to improve the quality of your life. It is definitely easier said than done, to greet each of our moments with our whole being, but with intention and practice you can make attain this goal. And you WILL see the difference in the quality of your life.

Close your eyes and breath deeply and slow down. I always try to list three things right now that I am greatful for. We live in such a fast paced society, even when we get the things we want we are not truely happy. Also making time to sketch your surroundings. You'd be suprised how much you pass in a day that you don't actually see. I highly recommend the book On Looking: A Walker’s Guide to the Art of Observation. Also the Tao of Pooh Enjoy!

Mindfulness! Try to pay less attention to the things that have happened to you in the past, and stop worrying about the future. Just take the time to appreciate the things around you, and the situation you are in right NOW. You could also try doing the 5 Senses activities, where you name the things you see, hear, taste, smell, feel etc.

You can't change the past, you can't predict the future either. We are here, living in this moment, breathing, watching, touching, enjoying, experiencing. We are wild and young and free. Why do we have to care about what people talk behind our back? Life is a an endless journey. Keep going ahead and you will see the beautiful things along the road you take.

You can live in the moment by practising mindfulness. You can work on practising mindfulness through meditation, breathing exercises, taking time to notice the little things etc... There are many websites and books dedicated to this. I find few things more grounding than feeling the weight of my body in my shoes, and feeling the ground beneath my feet. Listen to the birds. Notice how your clothes feel against your skin. Taste food! Now that's one that I love... Food never tastes better than when you eat it and focus on what it tastes like rather than just shovelling it down. Best of luck :)

Living in the moment is definitely a hard state of mind to achieve, but the best way I know to get there is to notice what’s happening around you. Let go of what’s troubling you for just a moment, and slow down to see the world. What do you see? Who or what is around you? What’s the weather like today? Is it hot or cold? What do you hear? Is there music playing nearby? What do you smell? Perhaps something’s cooking in the kitchen, or someone just sprayed perfume. When you eat, take time to savor the flavor. Take some deep breaths, and harness the moment you are living in. Take time to see the little things in life! As the old saying goes, “stop and smell the roses.”