From organising events for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama to teaching meditation practices that transform daily life, Michelle Eckles brings practical wisdom to those feeling overwhelmed by life's demands. In this captivating conversation, Michelle shares how meditation pulled her from a place of chronic pain, overwhelm, and burnout to a life of intention and calm. Her journey proves that even the busiest among us can find peace through simple, consistent practices that don't require hours of our day.

Key Takeaways

Start with just 10 breathsThe journey to mindfulness begins with breathing. Place one hand on your chest, one on your belly, and take 10 conscious breaths through your nose. This simple practice activates your parasympathetic nervous system, sending signals to your brain to calm down—no special equipment or extended time commitment required.

Single-tasking is more powerful than we realise

Contrary to popular belief, multitasking creates more stress and less productivity. Michelle suggests practising "single-tasking"—giving your full attention to one activity at a time, whether waiting for the kettle to boil or enjoying a meal without distraction. This simple shift reduces mental load and increases presence.

Integrate mindfulness into existing routinesYou don't need to find extra time for meditation—transform everyday moments instead. While walking, focus on one specific element (counting dogs, noticing tree colours). During meals, just eat. When waiting, just wait. These micro-moments of mindfulness accumulate into significant mental clarity.

Allow emotions rather than fixing themOne of the most profound benefits of mindfulness is learning to recognise and sit with emotions without immediately trying to fix or analyse them. This practice of simply acknowledging feelings. Recognising them, naming them, and feeling where they live in your body, can transform how you respond to life's challenges.

Consistency matters more than durationFive minutes of daily practice delivers more benefits than an hour-long session once a week. Start small and build the habit. The transformative power lies in making mindfulness a regular part of your life rather than an occasional intensive experience.

Your Next Steps

Ready to experience the benefits of mindfulness in your own life? Begin with the simplest practice: those 10 mindful breaths whenever you feel overwhelmed. Notice how this small action changes your stress response. From there, choose one daily activity to transform into a mindful moment. Perhaps your morning coffee or evening walk.

Remember Michelle's wisdom: "You don't need to sit on a pillow for half an hour every day" to reap the benefits of mindfulness. Start where you are, with what you have, and watch how these small practices ripple through your life, creating more space, calm, and clarity exactly when you need it most.

Michelle is a member of the Meditation Association of Australia and mindful.org and a Veriditas-trained and certified labyrinth facilitator.

Visit https://mindfulnessworksaustralia.com.au/  and https://meditationaustralia.org.au/ to find registered teachers in your area.

Her book, Cultivating a Calm Mind provides a guide to reducing anxiety, improving sleep and managing thoughts and emotions using mindfulness and meditation techniques. It’s available in hard copy (with free postage), downloadable PDF or audiobook at

https://www.meditationsunshinecoast.com.au/cultivating-a-calm-mind

Connect with me:

• Join Better Than Before: joclarkcoaching.com/better 

• Share your journey with me by sending me a message on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/joclarkcoaching/ 

• LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/joclarkcoaching/⁠

• Email me your success story at [email protected]. 

What you do today shapes your tomorrow. Your health matters because YOU matter.

Here’s to redefining midlife and making our next half of life even better than the first.