Permission to Pause

We live in a world where things are constantly pulling at our attention. Where “busyness” is a sign of prestige.  Days are jam packed with activities and it can feel as if there is not enough time. On top of these crazy schedules we are being bombarded with emails, notifications, text messages and social media posts to scroll through.  We move through the day on auto pilot , jumping from one thing to the next. It is no wonder we feel as if we have no time.  

So many of us are starving for stillness and silence, but at the same time, feel as though there is not enough time to do it!

Give Yourself Permission to Pause.

Pausing promotes relaxation, gives us a break from the noise of the world and all of the doing.  Pausing can refresh and reenergize you for hours. More importantly, it allows your nervous system a chance to regain balance.

Let’s Pause Together

Place your feet on the floor and your hands on your thighs.

For a moment , notice your feet on the floor and your seat on the chair.

Notice your heart beat, is it fast, slow or somewhere in between.

Pause here for a moment.

Notice your breath, is it quick, slow, deep or shallow.

Pause here noticing for a moment.

As you notice the breath can you deepen it.

Breathing in deeply

Exhaling slowly.

Is there a softening

A sense of ease

Welcome the breath for as long as you want.

When finished, notice the effects of pausing for a few moments.

Now peacefully proceed with what you were doing.

The Pause is so Powerful!!

When we Pause we are less likely to reach burnout and we are more likely to show up for others without feeling depleted. Pressing Pause , just for a minute or two, helps us  feel more centered, calm and present.  

I know it can feel daunting to stop what you are doing to pause because we are not programmed to believe that pausing is beneficial. To help you get started here are a few times throughout the day you can try inserting a pause:

When you wake up, getting in and out of your car, walking into your house, as you sit down at your desk, before you make a call , in between meetings, before you start dinner, as you get ready for bed or literally any time you need one!  

Start with one a day and slowly add a few more in.

( Hint: Set a reminder on your phone to PAUSE! )

Give Yourself Permission to Pause, You deserve it!