As Eckhart Tolle, the spiritual teacher and self-help author, said, "Nothing ever happened in the past; it happened in the now. Nothing will ever happen in the future; it will happen in the now."Sometimes, it's hard to believe how quickly life passes. Each day goes by in a blink — but how much of your daily life are you truly present?

Life is hectic. Between work and family life, it's easy to put your well-being on the back burner. However, before you know it, weeks have passed, you feel exhausted, and you can't remember the last time you felt relaxed and connected with yourself or others. 

The solution?

Commit to staying present. Living your life as it happens, here and now. 

Each day, we are physically present for every moment, but what about in mind and spirit?

If you're like most, your daily routines have created habits, and for the most part, you're on auto-pilot. When you have a spare minute, you're dwelling on the past or preparing for the future. If you can relate, you're not alone. Humans are prone to constantly toggle between what was and what may be, missing out on life, here and now.

A Harvard study found that we're not fully present nearly 50% of the time because we're too busy ruminating about the past or worrying about what's next. As Peter Kinderman, a clinical psychologist and professor, said, "Rumination tends to be eased if we learn to be mindful; if we are able to be aware of, and understand how our own thoughts work."

This is where the power of mindfulness comes in, acting as a real game-changer.

Life is too beautiful not to live in the now. Once you learn to live in the present moment, you begin to celebrate the tiny joys, listen to your body, and start to feel your feelings truly.

A good place to start is your morning shower or lunchtime. Instead of having a shower while thinking about your credit card bill; or scarfing down your chicken and avocado lime soup, thinking about all the work you need to do that afternoon, focus on the moment. Being present allows you to enjoy and appreciate the warm water and how nice that feels, or the delicious flavors and wonderful textures of your lunch.

One of the most significant benefits associated with mindful breathing is your ability to reduce stress, otherwise known as the silent killer. Research shows that different emotions are linked to various forms of breathing. So, changing how you breathe can help you change the way you feel. Small steps can lead to big results as you train your nervous system for resilience and a more mindful presence.

Related: How Are Stress and Health Connected

There are countless resources available, so start with the basics. There is no need to jump into the most challenging poses. Yoga is much more than a form of exercise; it's a way of existing in the world. Start by letting go of expectations, practicing breathing to encourage greater present moment awareness, and grabbing a refreshing glass of our unsweetened fruit infusion drink mixes.