2021 was a year that brought on the automatic physiological reaction of the fight or flight response in our bodies. This accumulated stress has affected all of us. Patricia McLaughlin is a mindfulness instructor and talks with librarian Jessica D’Avanza about how we can combat this stressor and calm the nervous system through mindfulness.

Patricia answers the questions, “What is mindfulness” and “How can it help me?” She shares tips for ways you can find ease in the world and discover the possibilities that the new year can offer.

At the end of their conversation, Patricia offers listeners a guided mindfulness exercise. You are invited to stick around and practice what you learn in this episode or come back to the mindfulness exercise at any time you feel it could be helpful.

Patricia  McLaughlin, Esq., a professor of law, has been a member of the RI Bar for over 30 years and has held various leadership positions in  education. She is a certified yoga teacher and mindfulness instructor who teaches a variety of offerings of in-person classes and online courses in workplace sessions and community settings. She is also a facilitator for Meditate Together, hosted by Mindful Leader, a worldwide program that offers free live group meditation sessions, 24 hours a day, five days a week in an effort to help as many people as possible during these challenging times.

You can contact Patricia at [email protected] or visit her website at amindfulnessjourney.com.

Patricia’s Recommended Books on Mindful Living

Mindfulness in Plain English by Bhante Gunaratana

Mindfulness for Beginners by Jon Kabat-Zinn

Full-Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn

Wherever You Go There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn

Coming to Our Senses by Jon Kabat-Zinn (for those looking to go deeper)