How often do you allow yourself to take breaks throughout the day? Many of us rush through our days without taking the time to slow down. Often, this has the impact of leaving us exhausted and frazzled by the end of the day. We feel rushed, anxious, and overwhelmed. If we are someone who is grieving, we might even be packing our days full in order to avoid our grief. But it’s likely that our grief emotions will sneak up on us eventually.
So, how can you take small mindful moments in order to decompress and destress? How might you incorporate small breaks throughout your day? Here are a few of our suggestions:
- If the weather is pleasant, consider stepping outside for five minutes to just sit in the sunshine.
- When you get yourself a cup of tea or coffee, feel the warmth of the mug on your hands and savor the taste as you take a sip. Notice how it feels to slow down for just a minute.
- Try to notice when you find a tactile sensation that you enjoy – perhaps it’s the feeling of a cozy blanket, or how your sweater feels, or how your socks feel on your feet. Take a moment to focus on these pleasant sensations.
Of course, if time allows, a break that lasts longer than five minutes can be incredibly restorative! Lay in a hammock, read a book from your favorite genre, or take a nap – the possibilities are endless. While you may not always feel like you need a break in the middle of your day, if you are regularly feeling tired and overwhelmed by dinner time try taking some small or large breaks and see if it helps!