The Power of Taking a Moment

Slowing down. Rest. How often this can feel like one of the hardest things.

Slowing down.  Rest.  How often this can feel like one of the hardest things.  In yoga, shavasana is a primary relaxation technique.  Essentially laying still on the floor.  Between more obviously active poses.  For so many it is one of the hardest postures to conquer despite it being the most simple - most of us have ability to lay flat.

Being still in the body however can amplify the noise within.  The to do list.  The annoyances of the day.  The big issues that want to be ignored but require attention to avoid even bigger impact.  Meditation can feel excruciating if not impossible for the same reasons.

Slowing down even for brief moments is essential to being fully present.  For wise decision making.  Considered choice.  It doesn’t mean being slow, lazy or inactive. 

In British football history, Gareth Southgate famously missed a sudden death penalty shoot-out against England’s great footballing rival Germany, during the Euro 96 semi-final.  Having analysed the miss over several years, he concluded that he had rushed the moment.  Rather than being fully present and confidently ‘in the zone’, he had ‘wanted to get it over and done with’.

A study cited by The Guardian, found that 58% players missed, when they started to take a penalty less than 1 second after the whistle.  Those that take their time fare much better.  It’s equivalent to a knee jerk reaction that we see in many aspects of life, rather than considered poise.

Several years after his penalty miss, Gareth Southgate (in his role as England Manager), placed a lot more focus than his predecessors on practising penalties, with a key focus on taking time in the moment before taking the shot.  His approach led England to their first ever World cup penalty shoot-out win. 

Ariana Huffington published a piece on how Virtual Fatigue is Real – and So Is the Science on Taking Breaks.  A study by Microsofts Human Factors Lab showed that taking small breaks between meetings had a cumulative de-stressing effect.  Just 5 minutes break after 2 hours of meetings resulted in a reduction of Beta brain waves (those associated with stress) which interestingly remained low during a further 4 consecutive virtual meetings.  A short break from mental activity allows the brain to re-set.  Reduces stress. Facilitates sustainability. Is ultimately critical for mental wellbeing and performance.

As Arianna put it – the study is a ‘further testament to how much we can achieve without wear and tear when we learn to pause, rest and reset.’

A client of mine during a session told me how she didn’t have any time to herself.  Her kids jumped in bed with her.  Even joined her in the bath.  She rushed from one thing to another.  She was exhausted, overwhelmed and had been suffering from depression for some time.  During that session we went through a process that focused on healthy boundary setting.  Clearing some old beliefs along the way.  Since then her entire way of being and living has changed. She has set boundaries with her children that are healthy for all.  Her time management has become uncompromising.  She has clear go / no-go parameters with her clients.  As a result, she is much more present and grounded in all aspects of her life plus able to process in healthier ways, life as it occurs. She is achieving win-win outcomes in her business.  She is happier. 

Remembering to stop.  Even for short moments is vital to mental and physical wellbeing.  As well as performance. 

It is a key factor in preventing burnout.  It also helps to prevent us from taking disempowering action – be it conscious or not.  

It allows us to operate from a place of greater stability.  Allows us to be more considered.

It facilitates wise choice.  And opens the gateway for ease, flow and being in the zone. 

Whether it’s being able to perform in high pressure critical moments, to sustain performance throughout the busy work day, or to continue with greater ease, energy and enjoyment as we go about our busy lives – practice is key. 

Practising stopping and pausing.  Practising rest. 

Building such present moments into the day. With consistency.  Daily.  Hourly.  And creating healthy boundaries. 

Why not take a moment now?  Pause.  Breathe into your belly with a long breath out.

How well you do rest? 

How good are you at stilling the mind – switching off? 

Do you have healthy boundaries?

What works best for you?