Stop - Breathe - Be - [essential version]
A basic and powerful 10 second tool to reconnect the mind and body with the present [OTW Post Date - 01 APR 24]
Do you ever feel like your mind is racing with worries about yesterday or what might happen tomorrow? It’s like your brain is running in circles?
Well, guess what? There’s a cool way to calm down and enjoy right now. It’s called Stop - Breathe - Be. And it’s really easy to learn!
Here’s how you do it:
Stop - Just like when you play freeze tag, stop everything you’re doing. If you’re thinking about a lot of things, try to make those thoughts freeze too. You can keep your eyes open or close them if that feels better.
Breathe - Take a big breath in, like you’re smelling your favorite cookie. Count to four slowly as you breathe in. Hold it for a tiny bit, then let it out slowly and steadily like you’re blowing bubbles.
Be - Now, if you closed your eyes, it’s time to open them. Look around and notice where you are. Can you feel your feet on the ground? Think about being the real you, right here, right now. Who’s with you? If this moment is special, give yourself a high-five for being part of it. What do you feel around you? Is it warm or cool? Is your body feeling tight anywhere? What’s happening around you?
Practicing this tool helps your brain and body stay in the “now” and makes you feel better than you did! Try it when you move from one thing to another, like after finishing a long task or before starting work that will require 15 minutes or more of your attention. It’s a great way to be the best you can be.
And that’s what being mindful is all about!
This post was adapted from the original post which can be found here:
