Hey there, and welcome back to Mindful at Work. I'm Julia Cartwright, and I'm so glad you're here. You know, we're right in that post-holiday stretch where everyone's trying to find their rhythm again, maybe juggling a few loose ends from the year. It's Friday morning, and if you're feeling that familiar tug of scattered energy or decision fatigue already, you're not alone. That's exactly what we're going to tend to today.

So let's start by taking a breath together. Nothing fancy. Just find a comfortable seat wherever you are, and let your shoulders drop away from your ears. Notice what's around you for just a moment. Maybe it's a desk, maybe it's a coffee cup, maybe it's the hum of your office. We're not here to change any of it, just to get grounded in it.

Now, I want to teach you something I call the Anchor and Release. It's going to help you reclaim your focus and actually feel present during your work day instead of running on fumes.

Start by breathing in through your nose for a count of four. Feel that air moving. Notice the coolness of it. Hold it for just a second, and then exhale slowly through your mouth for a count of six. That longer exhale? That's like letting your nervous system know it's safe. Do this three more times, and as you do, imagine each exhale carrying away one thing that's demanding your attention right now. A worry, a deadline, that email you haven't answered yet. Just set it down.

Now here's where the magic happens. With your next breath in, as you're counting to four, think about one task. Just one. The thing in front of you right now. Anchor your attention there like you're tying a boat to a dock. When you exhale, you're not letting that task go. You're anchoring into it more deeply. Breathe this way five more times, and really feel yourself settling into this one thing.

The gift of this practice is that it breaks the cycle of mental ping-pong. When your brain tries to scatter again, and it will, you simply come back to your anchor. Back to the breath. Back to what's in front of you.

Before you step into your day, use the Anchor and Release right before your most important task. Just two minutes. Your focus will sharpen, and you'll actually feel more capable.

Thanks so much for spending this time with me on Mindful at Work. If you're finding these daily tips helpful, please subscribe so you don't miss tomorrow's practice. You've got this.

For great deals today, check out https://amzn.to/47ZqpWT

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI