From Scattered to Centered: 3 Quick Tools for Fall Calm
Every day brings a choice: to practice stress or to practice peace. – Joan Borysenko
As the days grow a little shorter and the rhythms of fall settle in, I often feel that surge of excitement to reset my goals and get back into routines. There’s something about this season that makes me want to organize, plan, and tackle everything I’ve been thinking about over the summer.
But if I’m honest, sometimes that excitement can quickly turn into feeling a bit overwhelmed. So many things I want to do, so many priorities pulling me in different directions… sound familiar?
When that happens, I know it’s time to stop, pause, and use some of my own tools to help me feel centered again. That’s exactly what you’ll find in the section below: three simple, practical tools I use—and teach my clients—to shift from feeling scattered to feeling calm, focused, and in control.
Take a deep breath with me, and let’s reset together for the season ahead.
From Scattered to Centered: 3 Quick Tools for Fall Calm
“Simple ways to reset your mind and body when life feels hectic”
Fall is officially here! ?
With shifting routines, school schedules, and busier days, it’s easy to feel pulled in different directions. That scattered, anxious feeling can creep in before you even realize it.
The good news? You don’t need hours of meditation or a full day at the spa to reset. Sometimes, just a few small tools—used regularly—can shift your state from stressed to centered.
Here are 3 of my favorite tools from my book The Stress Relief Toolbox: For Women Who Take Care of Everyone But Themselves to help you pause and reclaim calm when life speeds up:
- Focused Calm Breathing
Take a deep breath and imagine filling your belly like a balloon. Let it expand comfortably, then slowly exhale. Repeat a few times, noticing how your body softens with each breath.
Try this now: pause, breathe, and see how you feel.
- Focused Calm Breathing with Fingers
Add a kinesthetic element by gently pressing your forefinger and thumb together as you inhale. As you exhale, release slightly while saying to yourself: “Let go.”
With practice, this becomes an “anchor”—a physical cue your body learns to associate with calmness. Over time, simply pressing your fingers together can help trigger a relaxation response.
- The Stop Sign
When your mind is swirling with worry, picture a big red STOP sign. Then use this acronym:
- S – Stop the thought spiral
- T – Think about how you want to feel instead
- O – Observe your body and take a focused calm breath
- P – Proceed only when you feel calmer and more in control
These tools may be simple, but when practiced regularly, they’re powerful. They bring you back to yourself—and back to the present moment—when stress threatens to take over.
If you’d like more support in navigating stress this Fall, download my free Fall Reflection Worksheet—a gentle guide to help you pause, reset, and step into this new season with clarity.
Get Your Free Fall Worksheet Here
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