Living In The Moment - Maintaining Your Emotional Health

By Francine Vezina, Health Educator, the Self-Help Connection

Last Updated: Jun 9, 2003
Articles & News : Articles : Emotional Health

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Below are a few ways to practice living in the moment:

1.  Each day, spend some time alone.

Spend time just being. Don’t read, watch TV or sleep. Just sit, not even thinking, let all your thoughts drift away.

2. Each day, find something simple in your life.

Notice something that is beautiful, interesting, or amazing. Living in appreciation makes every day better, and there is always something to appreciate.

3.  Each day, decide to listen completely in every conversation.

No anticipating the content, finishing sentences, or planning your response.

4.  Stop fighting “what is”.

Whatever is happening now is happening; whether you like it or not, so increase you level of contentment by accepting each moment as if you have chosen it. You can of course take actions to improve you life, but you can’t change the present moment because it already is.

5.  Take a bubble bath.

Play soft music, relax, and feel the warmth of the water. Just concentrate on how you are enjoying the moment.

6.  Keep a journal.

Write about the moments when you were totally present. Every week review you journal, this will encourage you to concentrate on what you are doing.  

7.  Look at the humour in life.

Having a sense of humour requires living in the moment because you have to look all around for the funny things that are happening.  

Stress Relievers  

If you find that you are having trouble concentrating, remembering things, trouble falling asleep, or sleeping too much, or you stomach is all tied up in knots, you may be experiencing too much stress or anxiety. Below are some suggestions for reducing stress. If none of these methods are working for you, get help from a professional who can give you expert advice.  

·         Look for humour in a situation.  

·         Create a safe place in you mind by thinking of a place  where you are happy. Take a few moments to visualize yourself there.  

·         Listen to calming music.  

·         Think positive. Listen to motivational tapes, read inspirational books, practice positive self-talk, or include positive affirmations in you day.  

·         Call a friend or relative. Sometimes just venting or getting things off your mind can relieve anxiety. Join a support group for people with similar problems.  

·         Do something fun so you can recharge.  

·         Spend time with nature, take a walk, watch animals, examine and enjoy the beauty of the landscape.  

·         Change what you can control in the situation and accept the rest. One thing you can control is how you react to what others are doing; change your response to a more peaceful one.  

·         Meditate, pray, learn yoga or tai chi.  

·         Engage in physical activity. Exercise, play a sport, garden, go for a walk, etc. Physical activity reduces stress.  

Other Related Links  

Positive Path Network - http://www.positivepath.net      

Creata Vision - http://www.creatavision.com           

Patient Centers - http://www.patientcenters.com/breastcancer             

Yoga Movement - http://www.yogamovement.com 

Dreams Alive - http://www.dreamsalive.com                               

Innerself   - http://www.innerself.com                        

Awakening Path -  http://www.awakeningpath.com                                        

Have comments about this article? We'd love to hear from you. Please email us at abcn@abcn.ca!