We’ve all done it, and for some of us it’s a daily habit: multi-tasking while eating. No matter what simultaneous activity you’re performing during your meal — working on your computer, watching television, or reading a book — the distraction prevents you from focusing on your food, increasing the chances of overeating and detracting from your ability to savor the taste of what’s on your plate.

Now, next time you sit down for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, push aside the pile of mail, turn off the television, and funnel all of your attention on eating. You’ll be much more attuned to your body and more likely to stop eating when you’re full. As an added bonus, consuming food will become a richer, more sensory experience as you gain a new awareness of its flavors, smells, and textures.

Learning to let go is one of life’s most difficult tasks. To let go often means giving up control and/or unrealistic expectations — allowing yourself to be imperfect. I recently wrote about letting go and related the process to a wedding reception. I said, “It’s like a wedding reception — even if everything goes wrong — at the end of the night… there are still two people madly in love. Nothing can take that away.”

Now, think about something within your life (e.g., a project, a daily ritual, perfectionism, a wedding) and evaluate the costs versus the benefits. Are the benefits worth the costs? If not, how can you take a step towards letting go? Often, the first (and most difficult) step is just realizing that you need to let go.