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Simple ways to feel more present
This exercise uses your senses to help bring your attention back to the present moment.
Take a look around and notice:
5 things you can see
4 things you can feel
3 things you can hear
2 things you can smell
1 thing you can taste
Take your time and focus on each step before moving on to the next.
Choose an object nearby and spend a minute paying attention to it.
Ask yourself:
What colour is it?
What texture does it have?
Is it heavy or light?
What small details have you never noticed before?
Focusing closely on something in front of you can help slow racing thoughts and bring you back to the here and now.
Think of a place where you feel calm, comfortable or safe.
It could be somewhere you've been before, somewhere you dream of visiting, or somewhere completely imaginary.
Take a moment to picture it in your mind and ask yourself:
What can I see?
What can I hear?
What can I feel?
Choose a colour and look around to see how many things you can find that match it.
Once you've finished, pick a different colour and try again.
This simple exercise can help shift your attention away from worries and back towards your surroundings.
Grab a pen and some paper.
As you breathe in and out, let your pen move across the page. Don't worry about creating something that looks good – just notice how the lines change as your breathing changes.
You might find your movements become slower and calmer as you continue.
Learn how to bring more stillness into your life with our Five Ways To Meditate article.
Feeling stressed, anxious or overwhelmed? This short breathing exercise can help you slow things down, reconnect with the present moment and create a little space for yourself.
