It's that time of year when things can get a little crazy. Papers and projects loom at the semester's end, and you're figuring out plans for summer. Feelings of burnout, overwhelm, and procrastination are cropping up. 

 

 

What's the antidote to the flurry of activity between now and the end of the semester? It can feel good to be in motion, getting things done, and focused on the task at hand. It can feel frustrating when you're stuck inside your head, looped in thought, spiraling with worry about whether you will make it through.

 

You will make it through. You always do. There is light at the end of the tunnel if you look closely. And in the meantime, try practicing presence. Tune into your breath. Or your senses.

 

Here's a technique to try called 5-4-3-2-1:

 

Stop whatever you're doing and take note of five things you can see, four things you can hear, three things you can feel, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste. Ground yourself in the present moment using your senses.

Image credit: Natalie Tallienatt 🌷

Find pockets of time during your day to create space for yourself. Pause and feel yourself breathing. Take a nice deep inhale and imagine all your stressors exiting with your exhale.

 

Have a mindful moment by simply noticing something beautiful in your environment. Pause and appreciate its beauty: light coming in your window, clouds in the sky, laughter from a friend.

 

As always, log into our 365 space to continue the conversation. Leave a comment and share a mindful moment this week. You've got this. 

 

 

Just be sure to add a dash of mindfulness throughout your day. ✨

 

P.S. Here's a link to the recording from our monthly mindfulness workshop on using the breath to regulate your nervous system. Understanding our stress response and how to cultivate our relaxation response is so important for optimal functioning!