Ah, spring. It’s such a beautiful time of year- flowers are blooming, the air feels warmer, and the sun lingers in the sky longer and longer. We often associate spring with renewal, rebirth, and fresh beginnings. We even have a special term for the ritual of cleaning our homes during this season!
Clearly, we are creatures wired to mark transition. I, personally, find joy in pausing to truly acknowledge the end of one chapter and the start of another. This year, let’s embrace the shift into spring as an invitation to PAUSE. We can pause to appreciate the blessings in our lives. We can also pause to reflect on our well-being. Let's ask ourselves, “Is there something I can bring into my life that will make my days feel better?”
Recently, a student shared that her greatest takeaway from our time together was learning about mindful moments. I invite you to give it a try as well!
So, what is a mindful moment?
A mindful moment is a simple, yet powerful tool to use when moving from one thing to another.
It’s perfect for those in-between moments—like transitioning between activities, shifting from work to home, before meals, or any other time you are stopping one thing and beginning something new.
When we switch from one thing to another, sometimes our attention gets scattered. We unintentionally multitask by continuing to think about the thing we were just doing, while physically moving on to the next.
A mindful moment helps bridge the gap, giving our mind a moment to catch up with where our body is, and reminding us to become present with the new activity.
How do you take a mindful moment?
Mindful moments can be a variety of things- a few deep breaths, a minute with your eyes closed setting an intention, a few moments of gratitude.... It's all about taking the time to acknowledge the transition.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach, but here’s a way to start:
1. Close your eyes (optional- depends on the circumstances)
2. Take a long, slow, deep breath in through your nose. As you exhale, release any tension you notice in your body. Repeat 2-3 times.
3. Engage your senses- What sounds do you hear? Do you feel hot or cold? Do you smell any scents? Without judgment, simply notice.
4. Tune into your body. Notice where your body makes contact with the chair or floor and feel the support of these things beneath you.
5. Take another long, slow, deep breath, within the range of what is comfortable for you.
6. Allow yourself to breathe naturally for the next few moments, feeling the sensations in your body of inhaling and exhaling- Where is your body moving with your breath today?
7. Set an intention for your next activity- perhaps you’d like to have greater presence with a loved one, or increased focus on a task. It can be anything you choose.
8. When you are ready, open your eyes and transition mindfully to your next activity.
✨✨ This spring, I invite you to embrace the beauty of these moments of pause, allowing them to enrich your day and nurture your well-being. ✨✨
Do you want to take an even greater pause this spring to learn more mindfulness practices?
Reach out to schedule an informational call to learn more!
Contact me at katie@inhaleexhaleconnect.com
Here’s what students are saying:
“These sessions changed my life. I learned that I can use various strategies when I’m overwhelmed or having strong feelings. Mindfulness has positively impacted every aspect of my life.” -Natasha B.
“The weekly mindfulness sessions led by Katie always brought a breath of fresh air and lightness to my week and left me feeling inspired and rejuvenated!” -Meredith W.
“This training is one of the best decisions I've made as an educator and as a person! I knew it would help me as a teacher, but I didn't realize how much it would help my overall mental and emotional health.” -Melody A.
Click here to see more testimonials