Live in the moment—a phrase we hear often, but how many of us actually practice it? In today’s fast-moving, hyper-connected world, living in the moment is more than a feel-good mantra; it’s at the heart of mindfulness, a practice now embraced by scientists, mental health professionals, and leading thinkers around the globe. Mindfulness isn’t about escaping reality or ignoring problems. Instead, it’s about bringing deliberate, nonjudgmental attention to what is happening right now, whether it’s a conversation, a sensation in your body, or the rhythm of your breath.

Recent events highlight just how mainstream mindfulness has become. At Dartmouth this April, Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn—the pioneer behind Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction or MBSR—spoke about how mindfulness helps us build resilience against modern life’s relentless pace. Jon’s research, as well as that of many colleagues, shows that when we stop operating on auto-pilot and start really noticing our present experience, we change how our brains and bodies react to stress. Studies from institutions like the University of Massachusetts and the NIH confirm that practicing mindfulness can reduce anxiety and depression, lower blood pressure, and even improve sleep and immune function. According to the American Psychological Association, mindfulness increases mental clarity and emotional regulation, helping us process difficult emotions more effectively and break cycles of rumination or worry.

Experts like Dan Harris—a journalist who went from public panic attack to bestselling author—remind listeners that modern distractions, from notifications to news feeds, can make it hard to stay present. But you don’t need to retreat to a monastery to start living more mindfully. Try this short guided meditation: close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and notice whatever thoughts, sounds, or feelings arise. Let them come and go, gently bringing your attention back to your breath whenever your mind wanders. Just a few minutes a day of this practice can create noticeable shifts in focus, mood, and well-being.

The challenges are real: information overload, constant connectivity, and pressure to multitask all draw us out of the present. But as mindfulness teachers encourage, each moment offers a new opportunity to come back to now. For listeners juggling busy lives, start by putting down the phone, noticing how your body feels, and really hearing the people you talk to. Practiced over time, these small moments add up—enabling us not just to live, but to truly thrive, in the moment.