Have you said some of these things at point or another? I know I have. I can relate.

The COVID-19 crisis, in particular, is affecting us all in such ways. Many of us are being forced to slow down, which may be bringing up a lot of discomfort and distress as we are used to being busybodies. Others are extremely busy with having to serve people during this time in many different ways. Either way, we can agree that for most of us, this is a stressful period. It isn’t an easy time for most people, to say the least, and yet, we can use this as an opportunity to learn how to appreciate taking a mindful pause or pause mindfully and learn how to relate to stress differently.

Mindful living requires that we observe without judgment what is occurring internally and externally in a curious manner in the present moment. Playing the observer helps manage stress because it allows us to acknowledge what is happening without getting caught up in it.

First, you could take a few minutes to check in with yourself. Pay attention to where stress is showing up in your body. Where are you feeling tension, tightness, strain? Take note of how you are breathing as well. Are you holding your breath? Does it have a shallow quality to it? Merely observing these physical manifestations and our breathing can sometimes give us cues to relax our bodies. For example, being aware that we are clenching our jaws can remind us to unclench them.

Next, take a two-minute mindful break! I invite you to play the video below. Here I transport you to one of my most favourite places in the world, Erawan Falls in Erawan National Park, Thailand.

I thought since many of us are cooped up indoors and cannot enjoy the bliss of nature in its entirety at this time, I would bring it to you! The video was originally a photograph that I took in early 2019 of one of the seven tiers, and I brought to life some aspects of the photo a few weeks ago.