From Chaos to Calm in 60 Seconds

Did you know you can lower your heart rate and calm your mind in just 60 seconds?

Here’s how:

Close your eyes. Inhale deeply, exhale fully.

‍

Inhale deeply, and send your attention to something you can hear. Focus on nothing else. Exhale fully.

‍

Inhale deeply, what do you smell? Exhale fully.

‍

Inhale deeply, what can you taste? (Hopefully you brushed your teeth this morning.) Exhale fully.

‍

Inhale deeply, notice what you feel on your skin. Exhale fully.

‍

Blink your eyes open as you inhale, and send all your attention to the first thing you see. Exhale fully.

This is what I like to call a “mindfulness minute,” but of course you can give each sense a full minute of its own if you’d like. And if you’d like to hear my sultry, soothing voice guide you through this, check out the Guided Meditations playlist on Birth & Beyond. (Or get a taste of these guided meditations in Preparing for Birth & First Six Weeks!) I’ve got everything from “A Meditation for Your Walk Home” to “Compassion for the Whole Body” waiting for you.

‍