Music A tea break for nurses.
A tea break is an ideal time to pause and be nourished on your busy work day.
Therefore I hope you enjoy this guided meditation as you step away from the wall to patient care area.
Allow yourself to take this time so you can return to work refreshed,
Replenished and ready to continue your shift.
So join me as we share this tea break meditation together.
Music As you step into the tea room,
Feel yourself begin to relax as the rain gently falls outside.
This is the moment to take off your mask,
Breathe in deeply and think how good that feels.
Begin by filling your cup with something nourishing and find a comfortable supportive chair to sit down in.
Cradle your drink in your hands and feel the warmth radiating from the cup to your hands.
Let's begin by taking another deep breath in,
Followed by a deep breath out and repeat a couple more times.
Feel your chest rising with the in breath and falling with the out breath.
Just follow the natural rhythm and flow of your own breathing,
Allowing your body to settle with each out breath.
With the next breath in,
Imagine warm air is reaching all the way down to your belly.
And as you breathe out,
Feel yourself slowing down and letting go the stresses of the day.
Open your awareness and feel the surface of the chair beneath you fully supporting your body.
Feel your feet on the floor and place your focus and attention on the cup nestled in your hands.
Sense and feel the warmth of the cup.
See the steam rising from the hot liquid.
And let out a sigh.
Smell the aroma of your beverage and then sip,
Enjoying the first taste of your drink.
Perhaps today you chose a herbal tea or a spicy chai full of aromatic spices to enjoy.
Perhaps it's a strong dark coffee with just a hint of milk or sugar.
Maybe it's a full bodied tea or a rich decadent hot chocolate.
Whatever you are drinking,
Enjoy it and be nourished with every mouthful.
And now look closer and observe the pattern,
The hue and shape of your cup.
What colour is it?
Is it a favourite cup or one that's always in the tearoom that you like to use?
Does it have a smooth ceramic feel under your fingers?
Or is it a paper cup with a textured finish?
Feel the rough edges and be aware of the warmth of your drink felt under your fingers.
Notice the weight of the cup in your hands.
Take another sip and let yourself sink further and deeper into the chair beneath you.
Knowing your body is fully supported as you relax,
Be still and just breathe.
Become aware again of your feet solidly resting on the floor beneath you.
Feel your chest rising with the in-breath and falling with the out-breath and relax.
While you are enjoying your drink,
You may hear the sound of gentle rain falling outside.
It is a comforting sound as we are warm and dry inside.
You may hear familiar sounds outside the tearoom.
However,
Just let those sounds calm and go.
Bring your focus back to the feel and weight of the cup in your hands.
Smell the aroma of your drink and enjoy the taste of your chosen beverage.
If you notice thoughts arising or find yourself thinking about what needs to be done when you get back to work,
Allow those thoughts to come and go.
It is normal for thoughts to arrive,
So remember there is nothing you need to do right now,
Except enjoy your tea break.
Listen to the rain falling down.
And for these few moments,
Allow time to replenish yourself.
And now do a quick body scan.
Pass your awareness over every part of your body,
Observing any places of remaining tension you may be feeling.
Send a deep,
Healing breath to this place,
Acknowledging this tension and letting it go with the next out-breath.
And repeat if necessary,
While you enjoy and be nourished by your drink.
Take one last deep breath in and say to yourself,
I feel nourished,
Refreshed and calm.
Begin to gently listen.
Take notice of any sounds around you.
You may like to bring some gentle movement back to your body,
Such as moving your fingers and toes.
And move your head from side to side.
Perhaps you may like to sit a bit longer in stillness,
Enjoying the remainder of your drink,
Listening to the gentle rain falling outside.
When you are ready to work again,
Step back into your day,
Feeling replenished,
Well hydrated and relaxed.
Remember that any time you have a tea break,
Take your time and enjoy an ordinary moment of self-kindness,
A moment to breathe and be in the present moment.
Ordinary moments in your workday,
Such as tea breaks,
Can offer you a time to replenish yourself and will not only benefit you but all the patients you care for.
Thank you for your kindness and compassion at work.
It is valued and appreciated.
