Joy on Demand
We’ve been in this for a year. Twelve long, difficult months. In that time, so many people have spoken up about the difficulties they’ve faced during the Pandemic. But, for some reason, this raw and candid statement from Sir Charles Barkley stood out to me.
Here’s a guy who has it all. And, still, he struggles.
I’ve mentioned before that the best book I’ve ever read is Joy on Demand by Chade-Meng Tan.
Instead of asking you all to read the book, this piece (penned by the author), is a perfect bite-sized intro, with tactics you can use TODAY.
“There are two reasons why taking just one mindful breath is so effective at calming the body and the mind. The physiological reason is that breaths taken mindfully tend to be slow and deep, which stimulates the vagus nerve, activating the parasympathetic nervous system. It lowers stress, reduces heart rate and blood pressure, and calms you down. The psychological reason is that when you put your attention intensely on the breath, you are fully in the present for the duration of the breath. To feel regretful, you need to be in the past; to worry, you need to be in the future. Hence, when you are fully in the present, you are temporarily free from regret and worry. That’s like releasing a heavy burden for the duration of one breath, allowing the body and mind a precious opportunity for rest and recovery.”
Here’s to a moment of peace.
