Have you ever tried to make a decision while your thoughts raced through everything that could go wrong? The harder you push for an answer, the harder it can become to recognize what feels right. Taking a moment to reset can help you approach the decision with a different perspective.
In Intuitive Certainty, I explore research from the HeartMath Institute, which studies communication between the heart and brain. As I explain in the book, “The heart and gut send signals to the brain that shape perception, emotion, and decision-making.” HeartMath measures patterns in heart rate variability, the changes in time between heartbeats. When those patterns become smoother and more ordered, HeartMath calls this heart coherence, a state associated with emotional balance and improved focus.
That connection between our physical and emotional states is one reason I include a Midday Reset in the book’s “Steps Toward Intuitive Certainty.” It takes just one minute: Inhale to a count of four, then exhale to a count of four. Repeat this five times while gently stretching your neck, shoulders, and arms. This simple practice gives you an opportunity to release tension before moving into your next task or conversation.
We often tell ourselves we’ll relax when everything is finished. But there will always be another demand on our attention. Taking a minute now gives us room to listen to ourselves before responding. Sometimes, developing trust in your intuition begins with giving yourself enough breathing room to hear it.