Headspace_logo_svg
Try for freeTry for free
Mindful ActivityWhat Motivates You to Be Here?

What Motivates You to Be Here?

Take a minute to reflect on why you’re taking this course, and what you’d like to gain from it.

Try 14 days free
Share:

Better mental health starts with Headspace. Unrivaled expertise to make life feel a little easier, using guided meditations, mindfulness tips, focus tools, sleep support, and dedicated programs.

Better mental health starts with Headspace

Hi. Sam here. Welcome to the first audio exercise in our "Mindful Parenting" collection. This exercise is designed to accompany audio lesson number one, and in it, we're going to dive into your motivations for being here. Let's start by just getting into a comfortable seated or lying down position, and really give your body and mind permission to arrive here in the present moment. Notice your feet supported by the floor and notice the weight of your body supported by whatever surface you're resting on, and then just take a nice, slow, deep breath in through your nose and out through your mouth. And on your next deep breath, see if you can feel your lungs and abdomen expanding and contracting. And now we're going to invite a question as if we're dropping a pebble into a large, clear, calm lake and just watching what ripples in the water. We're not forcing an answer, but just witnessing images, thoughts, emotions, and sensations that arise, and the question is, what brings me here today? What brings me to this course today? See if you can let go of any effort or judgment as you just notice and witness any thoughts, images, emotions arising. And we'll ask another question, the same question, but just a little differently. What really brings me here today? What's really bringing me here today? Maybe you're noticing a feeling of love and yearning for connection with your child. Maybe you just wanna be a more present parent, and then just allow the question to fade into the background. And to close our practice, let's send phrases of loving kindness to ourselves and our child or children. Turning toward yourself first, we'll send these wishes to you from the most loving part of yourself. May you feel confident and assured as a parent. May you connect with your inner wisdom as often as possible. And feel free to add a wish of your own for yourself as you start this journey. And now holding yourself and your child in mind, we'll send the following phrases to both of you. May we feel connected. May we feel joyful and at ease. And take a slow, deep breath, noticing any emotions and body sensations that are present. And when you're ready, just gently allowing your eyes to open. (gentle music) If you found this helpful, feel free to share it with a parent friend, and when you're ready, check out the next lesson for a deep dive on the emotion culture of your home, what it means, and how you can create the ideal emotion culture for you and your family. Take good care, and I'll see you back here for the next lesson....

Details

TypeMindful Activity
Duration5 min

About your teachers

  • A former Buddhist monk, Andy has guided people in meditation and mindfulness for 20 years. In his mission to make these practices accessible to all, he co-created the Headspace app in 2010.

    More about Andy
  • Eve is a mindfulness teacher, overseeing Headspace’s meditation curriculum. She is passionate about sharing meditation to help others feel less stressed and experience more compassion in their lives.

    More about Eve
  • As a meditation teacher, Dora encourages others to live, breathe, and be with the fullness of their experiences. She loves meditation’s power to create community and bring clarity to people’s minds.

    More about Dora
  • Kessonga has been an acupuncturists, therapist, and meditation teacher, working to bring mindfulness to the diverse populations of the world.

    More about Kessonga
  • Rosie Acosta has studied yoga and mindfulness for more than 20 years and taught for over a decade. Rosie’s mission is to help others overcome adversity and experience radical love.

    More about Rosie
Look After Your Mind

Look after your mind

Proven guided meditations and programs to help you stress less, sleep more soundly, and better navigate life’s challenges

Science Backed

Science-backed

Studies show that using Headspace for 30 days can reduce stress, increase resilience, and improve overall well-being

Explore Content

Explore 1000+ 
expert-led exercises

Access our library of meditations, breathing exercises, and guidance videos for stress, sleep, focus, everyday anxiety , parenting, and more.

Member reviews

Hear from some of our members

Your app brings so much peace and tolerance to our home.

Rachel

UK

Member-Icon-01

Changing my thoughts has allowed me to change my life.

Davide

London

Member-Icon-04

The stress and loneliness courses … taught me how to comfort myself.

Alicia

Canada

Member-Icon-03

Headspace provides me with … a connection to myself, and a disconnection from negative thoughts, feelings, and sensations.

Keri

UK

Member-Icon-02

Related to 'What Motivates You To Be'

Identifying the Emotional Culture of Your Home

Advice6 min

Lesson 2 - Reflect on how your family handles emotions.

More to explore

Beginning Meditation

Explore-More-Icon-02

Reframe Stress and Relax

Explore-More-Icon-01

New and Popular

Explore-More-Icon-03

Becoming a Mindful Parent

Explore-More-Icon-04
    • Terms & conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Consumer Health Data
    • Your privacy choices
      Privacy Choices Icon
    • CA Privacy Notice
  • © 2024 Headspace Inc.
  • Terms & conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Consumer Health Data
  • Your privacy choices
    Privacy Choices Icon
  • CA Privacy Notice