Podcasts Science The Science of Happiness Happiness Break: Being Present from Head to Toe, with Spring Washam

Happiness Break: Being Present from Head to Toe, with Spring Washam

Published: Feb. 23, 2023, 12:30 p.m.

Try this body-scan meditation to ground your mind in the present moment and in your body, guided by Spring Washam.

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Link to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3ahsvry6

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How to do this practice:

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  1. Find a comfortable seat where you can relax your body.

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  2. Beginning with the top of your head, relax any sense of tension, one body part at a time.

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  3. Slowly scan down to your face, neck, upper arms, hands, feeling their presence.

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  4. You might want to place your hands on your belly to feel your breath and let go.

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  5. End by placing your hand on your heart and offer your body some kindness.

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Today\u2019s Happiness Break Host:

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Spring Washam has been a devoted Buddhist practitioner in both the Theravada and Tibetan schools of Buddhism for more than 25 years. She is a founding teacher of The East Bay Meditation Center and has spent more than a decade studying Shamanic indigenous healing practices. She is also the author of the forthcoming book, The Spirit of Harriet Tubman: Awakening from the Underground.

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Learn more about Spring and her book: https://www.springwasham.com/

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Follow Spring on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/springwasham/

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Check out Spring\u2019s YouTube channel: https://tinyurl.com/22njyd29

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\nMore Resources from the Greater Good Science Center:

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Six Minutes to Connect with Your Body:\xa0 https://tinyurl.com/2337f85e

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How a Body Scan Can Help with Strong Emotions: https://tinyurl.com/58wfsvnd

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Krista Tippett on Being Grounded in Your Body: https://tinyurl.com/59pkp324

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Turning Into Your Body Can Make You More Resilient: https://tinyurl.com/5av68v62

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Your Anxiety Might Be Coming From Your Body: https://tinyurl.com/dwb9vvue

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What Self-Compassion Feels Like in Your Body: https://tinyurl.com/2p9rdepk

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Seven Ways to Have a Healthier Relationship with Stress: https://tinyurl.com/m6mbv2np

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We love hearing from you! Tell us about your experience of embodiment meditation. Email us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod.

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Find us on Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap

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Help us share Happiness Break! Leave us a 5-star review and copy and share this link: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap

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We\u2019re living through a mental health crisis. Between the stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, burnout \u2014 we all could use a break to feel better. That\u2019s where Happiness Break comes in. In each biweekly podcast episode, instructors guide you through research-backed practices and meditations that you can do in real-time. These relaxing and uplifting practices have been shown in a lab to help you cultivate calm, compassion, connection, mindfulness, and more \u2014 what the latest science says will directly support your well-being. All in less than ten minutes. A little break in your day.