Connected: Micro-Practices For Busy People

This lesson invites you to bring awareness to the things which give you pleasure every day. Our brains are pre-wired for negativity (negative brain bias), but they also have an extraordinary ability to change. When we intentionally give our attention to moments which give us pleasure, bliss and joy, and linger in these experiences so as to amplify them, we gradually start to change our brain chemistry. Over time, life becomes more vibrant and enjoyable. This practice is your own unique practice, so everyone’s will look different. It’s for you, just you. I encourage you to have some fun with this!

When we are busy we can ignore the intelligence of our nervous system by not listening to the messages our body is giving us. This lesson provides a practical way to tune into your body, bringing you into the present moment. This body based micro-practice is short and easily portable, making it perfect to integrate into small breaks throughout your day, wherever you are. By tuning into your body for even a few moments, you are collaborating with your body's natural wisdom and into what it needs right in that moment.

The earth provides us with stability and support, which you can access as a supportive foundation wherever you are in the world. This grounding practice uses contact with the earth as a source of nourishment. It's a good one to do if you are feeling ungrounded. You may be feeling anxious, overwhelmed, stressed or not present. You may also like to try it when you are transitioning from one task to the next or when you simply would like a moment to experience your body against the earth. Ideally this practice is done outside, perhaps in a park or garden; but it can also be done inside if you can't be outside for whatever reason. Regardless, ensure you have a flat surface beneath you where you can feel your body against the surface.

Breath is a natural part of life, but so often we take it for granted. Aside from the vital functional role that it plays in our bodies, bringing awareness to your breath, even for a few moments, can be transformative. Breath practices are portable, free and don’t take very long. This practice is good for when you need a few moments’ space or time to yourself. It is ideally done where you can see something spacious like the sky or a park. You could also do it in view of a water feature like the ocean, a river or lake. You don’t necessarily have to be outside, you could be in a high rise building looking out to the sky. If you can’t access any of these spaces, perhaps you could find an image online or in your mind. It’s particularly important to listen to your body while doing breath practices, to breathe with your own rhythm and only consciously changing your breath if it feels good for you.