I hope you had a wonderful time, whether you celebrated Christmas or not. For many people, December can be a busy month with all kinds of social obligations. It can also be a challenging month when we miss loved ones at the table.

It can be difficult to find balance again when December is over, so I would like to help you with some tips to return to the peace, simplicity and resourcefulness of The Now.

It’s not about doing less

Slowing down is key, but how do we do that when the stress hormones in our body have built up and keep us in a state of busyness and alertness?

Slowing down is about being intentional with your time and energy. It’s not about doing less, it’s about doing what truly matters, with greater presence and joy.

Slowing down means adopting a more intentional and mindful approach to our day-to-day activities. It is just like driving in a lower gear. You will be amazed to discover that you can actually still do the same number of things in a lower gear. You won’t lose much time at all whilst you will also enjoy being in The Now.

It calms your nervous system

Slowing Down is perfect to soften your system, calm your nervous system and eventually, the ultimate achievement: become laid back and Living in The Now.

In The Now:

• Our system softens and relaxes
• Worries about the future do not exist
• Pains from the past do not exist
• We step out of the thinking mode
• We are connected with our environment and the Divine that we are part of

Here are 10 Practical Tips to help you slow down and live in The Now.

Multitasking seems efficient but in reality, it is not. Because you can never fully concentrate on one thing, it is mentally tasking and can lead to burnout. With monotasking (or single-tasking) you enter The Now and complete everything more efficiently.

• Focus on one task at a time
• Give full attention to what you are doing

Set boundaries by communicating when you are, and are not, available and then stick to your schedule. This is incredibly helpful to stick to the importance of The Now.

• Identify what’s truly important to you and focus on those things
• Learn to say no to commitments that don’t align with your priorities in order to avoid over-scheduling

Our mobile phone is a major source of distraction and stress. Turn off notifications and unsubscribe from unwanted newsletters. Practise spending time away from your device so you can be in The Here and Now.

• Limit screen time, especially on social media
• Schedule tech-free time to connect with yourself or others

Most of us are so caught up in life that we forget to take time to do nothing. Or even better: be bored. The best ideas appear in The Now when we are bored.

• Turn off anything that distracts you from The Now, such as music, television, your phone and simply be, or sip a tea
• Do this 3 times a day for 10 to 20 minutes to rest your brain and recharge
• Set your alarm if that helps you let go

Your Inner Child needs to play but gets easily snowed under by the daily obligations. Setting time aside for fun is crucial to keep your Inner Child alive, to recharge your batteries and relearn how to be in The Now.

• Engage in hobbies or activities you enjoy, without worrying about productivity or outcome
• Allow yourself moments of playfulness and spontaneity

Seduced by discounts, we tend to buy more than we need. Our house ends up cluttered. Each item then calls for attention, either to be used, looked at or polished. Too much stimulation distracts from the simplicity and resourcefulness of The Now.

• Declutter your space to create a calming atmosphere
• Less is more

Trees, birds, fish, plants, everything that we encounter in nature lives in The Now. If there is one thing that can bring you back into the resourcefulness of The Now, it is spending time in nature.

• Go for a walk in a park, forest, or along water
• Use your senses: take in the sights, sounds and smells

Focus on the present moment without judgment, even during routine tasks such as washing dishes or walking the stairs. This helps slow down and brings you in The Here and Now.

• Give full attention to what you are doing
• Engage in activities like meditation, deep breathing or yoga

Feeling grateful helps open the heart and to stay positive. It also calms your nervous system and teaches you to accept life as it presents itself to you. Gratitude brings you back into The Now.

• Reflect on the day when in bed at night and count your blessings
• Keep a gratitude journal

Calming routines take us away from worries about the future and pains from the past. The regularity of calming activities calms your nervous system and helps you land in The Now.

• Start your day with meditation or yoga
• Establish rituals that signal relaxation, such as lighting a candle or listening to soothing music