In this episode of the Care to Change Podcast, April Bordeau sits down with therapist Jean Crane to close out the Gratitude Series. Together, they unpack the life-giving practice of mindfulness and stillness in a culture that glorifies busyness.

Jean shares her personal journey of learning to slow down and be fully present, even in the middle of a full and demanding life. She explains how mindfulness connects with gratitude, how it helps regulate emotions, and why checking in with ourselves—even for just a minute—can have a lasting impact on our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health.

From morning routines to simple grounding techniques, Jean offers practical ways anyone can build stillness into their daily rhythms. You’ll come away with encouragement that stillness is not only possible, it’s essential—and you are worth the check-in.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why our culture’s pace makes stillness a “lost art”
• How mindfulness and gratitude work together to change perspective
• The science behind negative bias—and how gratitude rewires our brains
• Practical tools for busy people: body scans, grounding exercises, and daily gratitude check-ins
• How to start and end your day with mindfulness for better rest and focus
• Why even small moments of stillness can deposit into your overall well-being

Resources & Mentions:

• Spiritual Practices for the Brain by Anne Kertz Kernion
• Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest by Ruth Haley Barton
• The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry and Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer
• The How We Feel App for daily emotional check-ins

Closing Note:
As we close this series on gratitude, reflection, and self-awareness, remember: you don’t need hours or a retreat to practice stillness. You can begin with small steps today. And if you find yourself struggling, Care to Change is here to walk alongside you with practical solutions for positive change.