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  • 1.  Mindfulness at work? Are you kidding me?

    Posted 10-13-2021 15:39
    I ran across this article, 10 mindfulness exercises you can add to your daily routine, and it includes "Mindfulness at your desk" for just 5-10 minutes. I don't know about you, but mindfulness is pretty much the last thing I'm able to do while working--there's so much going on! Who has time for mindfulness? I'm busy DOING!

    Well, mid-afternoon today I noticed I was in a slump...mentally and physically. I had just finished some intense spreadsheet work and my body had sunk into my chair and my laptop, and my brain was like, "Ok, I think I'm done now."

    I knew I needed a pick-me-up, but caffeine is not an option for me because it triggers migraines. Instead, I tried the mindfulness at my desk exercise from this article. I gave myself five whole minutes, and it actually worked! I felt refreshed and energized afterward. It's a little magical. I was also inspired to write this discussion post to share with my fellow Connectors! 

    Do you practice mindfulness in any areas of your life? Are you willing to give one of the 10 exercises in the article a try (mindful tea drinking sounds pretty awesome)? How about mindfulness at work--is it do-able or impossible? @KEVEN MATTHEWS @Nicole Daines @Amanda Gose @Lindsay Griswold...do you have any experiences to share? I'd love to hear from others, as well!​​​​

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    Maria Liccardo
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  • 2.  RE: Mindfulness at work? Are you kidding me?

    Posted 10-14-2021 13:21
    @Maria Liccardo,

    I've been feeling a little anxious and have been taking 5 minutes breaks to simply breathe and let my brain re-connect with my body while listening to calming music through my headphones. I stumbled across composer Brian Crain who I have been listening to a lot lately, even when I'm not practicing mindful breathing. 

    Recently my 4-year old came into my office and asked me why I was listening to such sad music, which made me chuckle. I told him it was my calm music, and 5 minutes later, he was on the floor beside my chair, fast asleep. (Kid tested, mother approved. Mindfulness works! Sometimes too well!)

    If anyone has any additional suggestions in practicing mindfulness as well as calming sounds/artists I should listen to - please send them my way! 


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    Amanda Gose
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Mindfulness at work? Are you kidding me?

    Posted 10-19-2021 11:35

    @Maria Liccardo - This was a great read, thank you!

    I think a lot about the "commute" pieces while I'm riding my bike - whether that's to/from work, or just generally around town. Yes, part of "taking in the sights/sounds/smells" is partially due to safety (being aware of my environment) but also it's one of the ways that I feel more connected to what's happening around me. Those are the moments I feel like I'm being intentional with time, rather than just going through the motions. 

    I'm going give the Mindfulness at Work bit a try this week and I'll letcha know how that goes. 

    @Amanda Gose - Recently I've become a big fan of the "radio" lists you can create either based on song, artist, or albums on Spotify. One that's been rocking my world recently is This Modern Love Radio. Here are the first 5 songs: 

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    Stay awesome,
    Quinn
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Mindfulness at work? Are you kidding me?

    Posted 11-09-2021 16:39

    I love that most of the suggestions in the Mindfulness article recommend 5-10 minutes -- because 5 minutes is usually as far as I get into some of these practices before my monkey mind takes over. Sigh. Mindful eating, cleaning, tea/coffee drinking and open awareness are all practices I've tried, yet I can never stick with them (we're talking just one day here!).

    I think the key for me would be to keep a tracking diary and commit to a time or general time of day to practice the routine. I'm a very dutiful person, so if I *have* to do something, I will, and keeping a tracking diary with the activities already outlined for the week could work well for me. I'll have to give it a try because being mindful is a game-changer for a jumpy, anxiety-prone mind like mine. Thanks for the nudge, @Maria L!  I'll start next week and will let you know how it goes.

    Meanwhile, @Manders G, I use my Apple Music Wellness Pure series on my phone when I need to focus and drown out the sound of construction work or incessant leaf blowers. I'm listening to Pure Calm right now. It's so soothing and really does help me focus.  ​​

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    Maria Mooshil
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    Original Message


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