Homework, Thursday, 18th October

Mindfulness

Let’s face it: we could all use a little more a patience. When there’s an obstacle between something we need or want, especially if we’re experiencing discomfort or stress, we are not the calmest creatures. Whether you’re stuck at the airport waiting for a flight that keeps getting delayed or standing in a seemingly never-ending line for a cup of coffee, mindfulness can help us redirect that knee-jerk “why me?!” feeling and put us back in the driver’s seat of our own reactions.

Here are three ways to bring mindfulness to that gnawing and often irritating experience of waiting:

1) Breathe through uncertainty. When something unexpected happens, we often put pressure on ourselves to quickly revise our master plan. Instead of rushing to get perfect results or sidestep negative ones, we can pause, slow down, and in doing so give ourselves a better chance to see what options are available to us in the moment. This in turn lowers our chances of augmenting our stress. Here is a simple breathing practice you can use any time you need to cool down.


2) Practice waiting. Maybe you’re on hold for a call, or you’re waiting for your screen to load—each of these opportunities prepare your mind for the bigger moments you have to wait for, like waiting for your baby to settle down to sleep, or waiting for an important meeting to start. Patience is a practice—explore these simple tips for bringing mindful awareness to the experience of waiting.

3) Show a little kindness. Smiling, laughter—positive emotions can undercut feelings of irritation as well as build a sense of community, something that may come in handy if you need an ally to help navigate your “wait” situation. Explore these tips for offering thanks and extending kindness to those around you.

The Surprising Power of Waiting

Basic emotions

Atlas of Emotions