A Mindful Moment for Yourself

When sadness weighs on your heart, it's easy to get caught up in the heaviness and forget to nurture yourself. But taking even a brief pause for self-care can help you navigate difficult emotions with a bit more ease and grace. It's not selfish to attend to your own needs. In fact, by caring for yourself, you replenish your capacity to be present for others in your life.

So let's take a mindful moment together. Find a comfortable position, either sitting or lying down. You might place a hand on your heart and a hand on your belly. Close your eyes if that feels right. Take a slow, deep breath, allowing your body to settle.

Notice how your body breathes itself, your lungs expanding and contracting. Sense your heart beating steadily. Even in the midst of sadness, your body continues showing up for you, sustaining you. Can you feel a whisper of gratitude for this ever-present support?

Now, ask yourself: What do I need in this moment? What small kindness can I offer myself? Perhaps it's a favorite soothing scent, wrapping yourself in a soft blanket, or some comforting words you need to hear. Give yourself full permission to tend to this need.

Saying kind words to yourself, as you would to a dear friend, can be so nourishing. Imagine what your wisest, most compassionate self might say: "I know this is hard. I'm here for you. We'll get through this together, one breath at a time." Let these words wash over you.

As this practice draws to a close, know that you can return to this space of kind self-attunement anytime you need. With practice, offering ourselves the care we need becomes a little easier.

Caring for ourselves isn't always easy, especially when we're used to putting others first. But your feelings matter. Your needs matter. YOU matter. By lovingly tending to yourself, you nurture your best self. From this place of inner abundance, you're better able to show up for your loved ones and life itself. Be patient with yourself through the ebbs and flows. Moments of self-care, however brief, can ripple out into greater peace, resilience and joy.