A friend asked me yesterday, “If there is one mindfulness activity to do, what would it be?”. I paused and like this electric sign, it is breathe. We do it subconsciously all day long. It is a tool within us, everywhere we go. Yet we often forget to pay attention to it. Whether it is rushing to our next appointment or playing a sport, we forget about the power of the breath to calm the body and the mind.
In working with second graders in Durham, North Carolina – I shared the concept of “Got Five”. Five fingers, five counts of breath. Since teaching that class, I found myself doing it. Stopping when I am rushing somewhere, or pausing five more breaths while staring at the moon. This simple activity of stopping and breathing can help us pause, help us wait before reacting in a stressful conversation, help us stay and enjoy a beautiful moment longer.
Challenge: Take five once a day this coming week and see how you feel after each “Got Five”, and also how you feel after your week.