Teeth trembling and fingers numbing from the blistering cold weather, you sprint into your home and feel a rush of heat. Half an hour later, you’re entirely comfortable. You’re no longer appreciating the calming temperature of your home as much as you did the moment you opened the door. It’s human nature. But why can’t we maintain the level of appreciation in life on a broader scale in the same way that we feel that first gust of warm air?

We can’t seem to preserve that feeling because we’re always taught to strive for more. While sometimes that’s great, progressing through life like you’re trying to get to the next level in a video game is, in many ways, counterproductive.

So, try taking at least 10 minutes a day to do absolutely nothing. In a world plagued by constant multitasking and an unparalleled sense of urgency among teens, many high school students may find this unfathomable. However, the practice of meditation has changed my life during my last semester of high school and has simply made me a happier and more self-aware person.

Just lie down with your eyes closed. Focus on something recent for which you’re grateful or even think about absolutely nothing at all. Even 10 minutes a day of focusing on one solitary event or concept without distraction can subconsciously force the mind to live in the present and more fully appreciate positive experiences. It encourages a more optimistic and relaxed lifestyle, which some of us desperately need.

Whether it’s due to a grueling sports schedule, excessive amounts of homework or any other time-consuming source of stress, busy high school students inherently become forced to only focus on what’s next. The enduring cycle of school, extracurriculars, studying and sleep with little time in between takes its mental toll. I found that the more involved I got over the years, the more time-obsessed I became. Even when I was spending time with friends or watching TV, I was always concerned about what I had to do next and found that I could never be fully content with the moment. This is a dire consequence of stress. So allot a little time between your hectic day to forget about your stressors. It can really do wonders.

I’m endlessly grateful for the incredible experience I’ve had in high school and definitely recommend taking advantage of the opportunities that our school provides. Much of the student body seems to put an enormous amount of pressure on itself to simultaneously thrive academically and socially, myself included. While in some ways that can be a great thing, the frequent pressure makes our lives move so fast that we lose the mental capacity to appreciate the present.

You know that old Ferris Bueller quote about how life moves pretty fast and if we don’t stop and look around once in a while, we could miss it? Well, besides looking around every once in a while, sometimes we should just take some much-needed time off to appreciate in the midst of a fast-paced high school life.