Cultivating “The Pause”
Hello everyone! Welcome back to the Positively Healthy Mom Podcast. I’m Laura Ollinger, and today I’m thrilled to introduce Laura Jennings, a dear friend and an inspiring mindfulness expert. Laura has dedicated her career to helping people integrate mindful pauses into their daily routines, enhancing balance, well-being, and inner peace. As a seasoned practitioner, she brings a wealth of wisdom and practical strategies to make mindfulness a sustainable and enriching part of even the busiest lifestyle.
Cultivating the Pause
Laura and I both understand the importance of finding moments of calm in our everyday lives, especially for busy moms. Between managing family responsibilities and carving out time for ourselves, it can be challenging to slow down. Laura shares her approach to incorporating mindful pauses throughout the day, emphasizing that it’s not about finding hours, but rather intentional moments to center ourselves. Even a few minutes of mindfulness daily can help you feel more grounded and present.
Building a Consistent Mindfulness Routine
One of Laura’s key strategies is creating a flexible but consistent mindfulness practice. She recommends starting small, aiming for just 5-10 minutes of mindful breathing or meditation a few times a week. By making this a manageable commitment, you can start to experience the benefits without feeling overwhelmed. Laura explains that, over time, these short pauses create a habit of mindfulness, helping you cultivate inner peace as you go. Eventually, pausing to reconnect with yourself becomes a natural part of your day, providing mental clarity and emotional resilience.
Mindful Breathing for Calm and Focus
Laura is passionate about the simplicity and effectiveness of mindful breathing exercises. Unlike more intensive practices, mindful pauses focus on intentional breathing, helping reduce stress and increase focus. Laura explains how even basic techniques, like deep breathing, can have a profound impact on daily well-being. For example, she shares exercises that help moms manage the pressures of multitasking, household responsibilities, or work demands by cultivating a calmer state of mind.
Adapting Mindfulness to Busy Schedules
Laura understands that moms have unpredictable schedules, which is why she advocates for adaptable routines. She suggests finding pockets of time throughout the day—even during nap time, right before bed, or while drinking your morning coffee. By taking a flexible approach, mindfulness can seamlessly fit into your lifestyle, offering a quick recharge and stress relief without needing a lengthy practice session.
Avoiding Overwhelm and Staying Motivated
Many people feel overwhelmed at the idea of starting a mindfulness practice, but Laura offers advice on taking small steps to make it feel achievable. She encourages beginners to focus on just one technique at a time, building up gradually as they become comfortable. Laura believes that finding joy in the process is essential, so she emphasizes the importance of celebrating each milestone—whether it’s a moment of clarity, reduced stress, or simply feeling more present.
Prioritizing Self-Care through Mindfulness
Laura and I discuss the role of mindful pauses in self-care and mental well-being. She reminds us that mindfulness isn’t just about stress reduction; it’s also a powerful tool for emotional balance and resilience. Practicing mindfulness allows us to reconnect with ourselves, recharge, and find a greater sense of calm amidst the demands of motherhood. Laura encourages moms to see these pauses as a form of self-care that nurtures both mental and physical health, helping them feel more centered and empowered.
If you enjoyed these practical insights, be sure to listen to the full podcast episode with Laura Jennings. Tune in to the Positively Healthy Mom Podcast for more expert advice on creating a balanced, fulfilling life through mindfulness and intentional self-care.
Connect with Laura Jennings
You can find Laura on Facebook and Instagram, where she shares more tips on incorporating mindful pauses into your daily life. Be sure to check out the full episode to hear Laura’s expert insights on making mindfulness a sustainable and beneficial part of your routine.
Listen to the full episode for practical guidance on how mindful pauses can help you find calm, balance, and a renewed sense of purpose amidst the busyness of motherhood.
