Most of us grew up with the mantra “work hard, play hard.” You can take extended periods of rest, like a vacation — but only if you work first! This weekend, take a mini-vacation or staycation. Prioritize rest, and we’ll see you back here on Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There is a lot of wellness advice out there — what to eat, when to eat it, how to exercise, what ‘healthy’ looks like. But what much of this advice fails to mention is that none of it matters if it doesn't feel good to you. Let’s practice being mindful of what your body is telling you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s easy to be kind when you’re in a good mood, but opportunities to be kind can arise at any time. It’s those moments when we have to deliberately choose kindness that can ultimately result in more happiness, than moments when we already feel kind. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Confidence is the feeling of self-assurance, and confident people can inspire a sense of comfort in others. But how can each of us be more confident? Here are a few steps you can take — and remember, the journey is where confidence grows. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At Headspace, we believe that a mindfulness practice doesn’t just happen while you’re meditating. It can actually be a part of every facet of your life — especially in your relationships with others, and those closest to us in particular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How often do we go to do something, and finish the task with no recollection of it at all? This is because we don’t have present-moment awareness. But we can cultivate this skill through mindfulness. Consider practicing this weekend with a snack — it doesn’t have to be a raisin! Have a good weekend, everyone! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stress is a part of life, but we can control how we respond to it. And the best way to respond to it is by having a few stress-busting activities on hand for when the going gets tough. Today, jot down a few ideas for your Stress Toolkit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We get a lot of questions about meditation and mindfulness. Today, Kessonga is going to answer a few of them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While self-evaluation is healthy for self-improvement, it is often easy to confuse honesty with criticism. The latter comes from a place of judgment, which we should work to avoid. So today, let’s practice being honest with ourselves minus the judgment, and see how this can improve our well-being. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Many of us are venturing back into the world … and it’s busy out here! But even in the most demanding of places, we can find a sense of peace and quiet, if we know how to look for it.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the Headspace app, we often talk about the ever-present blue sky. That’s the sense of calm and ease that’s present in all of us, all of the time. In the same way, our intuition is always there to guide us. That instinctive voice always knows the right way, but sometimes we don’t listen. This weekend, tune in to your inner voice and see where it leads you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There’s a common misconception that mindfulness can reduce stress. What mindfulness actually does is increase your stress resiliency, which is how we respond to stressors in our environment. Stress will never disappear — it’s a part of life — but through meditation and mindfulness, we can learn to control our reactions to it, making our response to stress less extreme. The book Kessonga mentioned is Full Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn. You can also get a crash course on meditation and mindfulness in Andy’s book, Get Some Headspace.  If you like what you hear, you can spend more time with Kessonga inside of the Headspace app, where he leads a variety of guided meditations and wind downs for sleep. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Most of us spend a lot of time trying to ignore or limit our interaction with strong negative feelings. Things like fear, sadness, or anger can be scary or painful. But rushing to squash those feelings often leads us to fixate on them, which is the opposite of what we’re trying to do! It’s only by creating space for our feelings that we can move past them. If you like what you hear, you can spend more time with Kessonga inside of the Headspace app, where he leads a variety of guided meditations and wind downs for sleep. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Headspace teachers provide general instructions in each of our meditation and mindfulness sessions that usually work for most people. This does not mean that all guidance works for all people, and we encourage you to be aware of what’s being said, and find what works for you. Your practice is yours, after all! Make it your own. If you like what you hear, you can spend more time with Kessonga inside of the Headspace app, where he leads a variety of guided meditations and wind downs for sleep. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Social media is a great way to stay connected and keep up with what others are doing. But make sure you’re keeping up, and not getting caught up. We each walk our own paths. Yours is yours to walk, and yours alone. Be mindful of what’s influencing the decisions you make. If you like what you hear, you can spend more time with Kessonga inside of the Headspace app, where he leads a variety of guided meditations and wind downs for sleep. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We talk a lot about staying in the present moment, but that is more than just being aware of what’s going on right now. Today, we’re digging into awareness, but approaching that awareness with a sense of gratitude. This weekend, we challenge you to keep up with your pleasant events and spend a few moments reflecting on the good things happening right now. See you back here Monday!  If you like what you hear, you can spend more time with Kessonga inside of the Headspace app, where he leads a variety of guided meditations and wind downs for sleep. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There’s a fine line between self-care and indulgent complacency. At the same time, there’s a fine line between self-encouragement and being harsh with ourselves. Today, check in with the self-compassion spectrum and be aware of where you fall.  If you like what you hear, you can spend more time with Kessonga inside of the Headspace app, where he leads a variety of guided meditations and wind downs for sleep. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Does stress run your life? Many of us are living in a state of fight, flight, or freeze most of the time. It can lead to burnout, and other physical health conditions. So what can we do to fight back against it? Hint: There’s an app for that.  If you like what you hear, you can spend more time with Kessonga inside of the Headspace app, where he leads a variety of guided meditations and wind downs for sleep. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the rollout of COVID vaccines, many people are discussing their plans for “re-entering” the world. Where they want to travel, or who they want to visit. As exciting as it may seem to jump right back to how things used to be, take a moment to reconsider. If you like what you hear, you can spend more time with Kessonga inside of the Headspace app, where he leads a variety of guided meditations and wind downs for sleep. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New beginnings are exciting, hopeful, and frequently riddled with anxiety. We often fear not knowing what comes next, but if we can be aware of those emotions, we can shift our point of view and make better choices. We also want to welcome Kessonga Giscombe to Radio Headspace! He will be hosting the show this month. If you like what you hear, you can spend more time with Kessonga inside of the Headspace app, where he leads a variety of guided meditations and wind downs for sleep. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The entire planet is a living, breathing organism. It changes every day. The air we breathe could have been created thousands of miles away. And when we sit and notice the breath, we notice that each one is different, as is each moment. This weekend, pause and try to notice life as it unfolds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Take a moment and think about it. Who or what do you appreciate the most? It could be your family. Or friends. A moment of quiet. It might change daily, or even moment to moment. The answer doesn’t actually matter, just try to notice what comes up.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When we’re rushing through the day, it’s easy to get caught up in our routines and in our own minds. But how much of life are we missing when we forget to look around? Try to approach today like it’s brand-new.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We place a lot of value on our physical and mental health. You may even meditate or do yoga. But if you’re present and embracing loving kindness during your meditation or in a yoga class, but driving away screaming at someone in traffic, you’re not fully embracing the philosophies of those practices. Today, focus on aligning your attitude with your actions.  Haven’t Seen “Whole Foods Parking Lot”? Check it out here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We hear from a lot of people looking for “happiness” or “enlightenment” like it’s a status or level to achieve in our lives. But really, it’s a state of being. And whenever we are present in the moments of our life, that is enlightenment. Happiness isn’t waiting for you somewhere in the future — it’s here, right now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices