Does it feel like time is accelerating? Even though time is moving at the same pace as it always has, months and years seem to whiz by now compared to before. Along the way we have allowed our lives to become more crowded, creating the illusion that time is accelerating.

Our lifetime has seen the dawn of unprecedented distractions in technology. We’ve gone from six channels to hundreds on cable television, and from the birth of the internet to those mini computers at our thumbs called smart phones.

Studies are teaching us that all this access can lead to feeling overwhelmed, a sense of isolation and even depression. The upshot is that we yearn for stillness and peace in our lives to bring balance, which is something that more people are incorporating.

As we head full speed into the holiday season, consider giving yourself the gift of stillness so that you can have more focus and clarity than you ever thought possible.

Reach for your phone with new purpose. More and more people are reaching for their phone in the morning before they even get out of bed. Instead of checking your email or skimming through your social media feed, try these tips:

>> Find a short meditation app or breathing exercise that will kick off your day with peace and productivity. Try it daily for a week and you’ll be pleased with how your attitude transforms. Do not force yourself to attempt 20 minutes of stillness all at once. Just start with a few minutes or whatever you can comfortably do and work your way up to longer stretches.

>> Drive with peaceful purpose. Let your morning commute be a commitment to contemplation. The quieter you become the more in tune with yourself you become. Turn off the radio chatter and focus on what is working in your life. Focus on that which is abundant, good, stable, calm, graceful, loving, productive and supportive. Challenge yourself to be ever mindful of your thoughts, words and actions.

>> Budget “me time” at work. Set your alarm for two 10-minute breaks during your work day where you step outside and breathe. Nothing will fall apart if you unplug for a few moments. Scheduling time for deep breathing melts the tension that builds up through the day. The simple act of taking several deep breaths infuses the body with peace. You’ll have better perspective when you resume working.

It’s easy to think there’s no time for stillness. The reality is that the time that we don’t spend in stillness is often wasted away dealing with distractions and clutter. These distractions only give the illusion of escape. Over time you will come to realize stillness is more than retreat — it can be the radiance that fills your life.

Alice Inoue is the founder of Happiness U. Visit yourhappinessu.com