Written by Heather Richards

There’s a lot of talk these days about being in the moment, or being mindful. But with so many distractions from both the outside world and our own thoughts, it can be nearly impossible to focus on the moment at hand. However, mindfulness is important if you want to live a balanced, healthy life. Staying present promotes happiness, reduces stress, and allows you to be open to new possibilities and experiences, a concept that Dr. Eric Amidi, a quantum physicist and the author of the ebook, The Secret Behind the Secret, often writes about in his blogs and articles.

If you have trouble focusing on the moment, on the here and now, don’t worry. Here are three activities that can help you live in the moment, right now.

Breathe Deeply

It’s hard to believe that something as natural and easy as breathing is the key to staying in the moment. The problem is that most of us usually breathe with our chest; this is a shallow type of breathing that doesn’t give our lungs enough oxygen and can actually increase anxiety. To get in the moment, you have to breathe deeply. When done right, deep breathing exercises provide the body with the amount of oxygen it needs and as a result slows our heartbeat and even stabilizes blood pressure. A beginning yoga class is a great place to learn deep breathing exercises.

Practice Meditation

An effective way to stay in the moment is to focus your attention on a single thing, or to meditate. There are countless meditation techniques to choose from, making it easy for you to find one that goes with your goals and desires. For example, Dr. Eric Amidi calls them manifestation sessions. Some people focus on a certain word, an object, or a chant they sing over and over again. Find a meditation guide that works for you and set aside some time every day to practice the technique and be in the moment.

Focus on the Task at Hand

While this might seem obvious, many of us go through life on autopilot. Whether at work, in traffic, or cleaning the house, our thoughts are not focused on the task or activity we’re involved in. Instead, we’re thinking about our wants, needs, worries. We’re daydreaming about vacations, stressed about the past. Instead of allowing your thoughts to wander, consider focusing on the task at hand. Even if it’s a boring task you can do with your eyes closed, get your mind in the moment by paying attention to what you’re doing. This is also a concept that Eric Amidi often talks about.