Take a moment to think back to a time that you were completely present in the moment? This means that you were not distracted by Sidechat, Tik Tok, or notifications on your phone, you weren't preoccupied with an upcoming deadline or your thesis, and you weren't sucked into a show. 

Chances are those moments are hard to come by. With the constant deluge of distractions, it's extremely hard to be fully present in our interactions with others. However, being present is a basic necessity of human connection. According to Moni Bee, a therapist and writer, presence "means listening attentively, noticing facial expressions, body language and other nonverbal cues. It means taking deep breaths and noticing what’s happening in your body in real time. It is being fully in each moment." 

Some of the benefits of being present and living in the moment include:
- Improving your relationships with others
- Reducing stress
- Improving your ability to focus
- Helping manage anxiety

So, how can you start to be more present and live in the moment? Here are some tips:
- Use your five senses and observe what you feel, smell, taste, hear, and see.
- Focus on your breath and practice mindful breathing.
- Take a moment to practice gratitude each day.
- Reduce distractions so that you can fully be in the moment. 
- Get into the practice of journaling.

If you're still finding that it's difficult to live in the moment, schedule a Wellness Coaching appointment to make actionable goals with a coach and see progress.

Find out if you're a rat 🐀, frog 🐸, lizard 🦎, or mouse 🐭 by taking this quiz!

Take 10 is an initiative intended to encourage all members of the UChicago community to rest and connect with others. Join us to participate in Take 10 events from 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM across campus on odd-week Thursdays this quarter! We hope you drop by and take 10! 

Restorative yoga classes at UChicago Student Wellness will help ease tension and melt your worries away. Using props like blocks, bolsters, and blankets, you will relax into postures that are held for several minutes at a time. We use mindful breathing and meditation techniques that are sure to leave you calmer and more grounded than when you walked in the door. Join us at the Student Wellness Center on Tuesdays from 4-5 PM. 

20 Minute Still sessions allow you to take a moment to pause and join the Office of Spiritual Life for twenty minutes of facilitated meditation to still the mind. Twenty Minutes Still takes place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8:00-8:20am in Bond Chapel.

Yoga Classes from Spiritual Life are offered in both a virtual and in-person modalities on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays during Winter Quarter. Check out the most updated yoga offerings here. 

Wellness Coaching allows students to examine their strengths with a wellness coach to navigate transitions and achieve desired changes they’d like to make in their lives. Interested students may schedule a 90-minute session with a Student Wellness coach or a 30-minute session with a TimelyCare wellness coach. Visit this page for more information.

Let's Talk provides easy access to free, informal, and confidential consultations with therapists from UChicago Student Wellness. No appointment is necessary. In-person sessions are held throughout Autumn Quarter on Mondays and Fridays. Let's Talk has more information.

Buddy Up offers graduate and professional students the opportunity to join a network of peers wanting to meet with students across campus. Students are paired up with a new buddy every two weeks. Students may register here or email Carolyn Banner at cbanner@uchicago.edu with questions.

Food Security Resources provide short-term support for students experiencing difficulties with food access. Please reach out if you or someone you know is worried about running out of food, skipping meals, etc. Graduate and Professional Students can contact Student Support Service studentsupport@uchicago.edu, and Undergraduate Students can contact the Center for College Student Success ccss@uchicago.edu. You can also apply for grocery vouchers here.

FitChicago offers an array of fitness opportunities for you seven days a week. Everything from foam roller classes to Zumba! Check out the Winter Quarter class offerings and schedule here.