So, HOW can you be mindful? 

• As you're doing a daily task

  • stop thinking 

  • focus on the sensations around you.

Imagine this: you are walking down the street heading to the corner store. Stop thinking about your to-do list, your bills, or your last argument, focus on what's around you. 

What are you feeling? How does the pavement feel against your feet as you walk down the street? Is it even or uneven? Can you feel the rocks in the cement or is it smooth? Is there a tag in your shirt? Do you have multiple layers on? How do your clothes fit against your skin?  Do you feel sun on your face or is that wind? Is there a mist in the air that you can feel in your lungs as you breathe in? 

What do you see? What colors do you see? What is moving around you and what is still? Are there trees? Flowers? Buildings? Is the sun bright? Are the clouds reflecting more light or are they absorbing light? Do you see a blue sky? Are there white clouds? Black clouds? What kinds of shapes do you see? 

What do you hear?  Listen to the sound of air moving through your mouth or nose. Listen to your heart beat - is it fast or slow, does it slow down as you start noticing how it sounds? Are there dogs barking? Cars honking? Do you hear the sounds of a city or is it quiet enough to hear your feet stepping on the ground? 

As students, we spend a lot of time sitting - here are some short exercises and stretches that can be used to help alleviate tension while sitting. As nurses we spend some time sitting to chart after working hard and taking care of people, sometimes when we're sitting for a few minutes is a good time to use these stretches to take a moment to care for ourselves amidst the craziness. 

Progressive muscle relaxation helps you identify where and how your body holds tension.

The benefits of a room-darkening shade or blackout curtain/blind cannot be underrated! This sound bath has improved my sleep whether sleeping during the day or at night or somewhere in between.