The Mindful Path — Balance | Aug. 3, 2025

August is National Wellness Month with a focus on managing stress, promoting healthy habits and developing self-care routines.  As we continue to struggle with political polarity, economic uncertainty and global conflicts, how can we best find the path to more tranquility? Cairns can offer a helpful metaphor as we focus on balance, nature and trying to discover our own inner peace. ”Slow down and breathe deeply” offers a natural way to manage stress and reduce anxiety. 

Balanced stones strategically placed on a trail are cairns. They are used to guide travelers and hikers.  When the path appears unclear, a carefully balanced cairn can signify you are on the right path.  Cairns have been guiding people for thousands of years.

Wellness Every Day offers these “cairn tips” for helping us find our way:

Plan your time. Keeping to a regular schedule helps build sustainable routines. Consider adding healthy habits like eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, walking, attending church, temple or synagogue, and making sleep a priority.

Get connected with friends and family who are optimistic and active. Feeling isolated? Try to schedule time to connect with others, seeing people in person really makes a difference.

Relax - let your mind reset and refresh. Unplug from the news, social media and email. Even just being able to see your phone has been shown to distract some of your attention. Keep it out of sight when you need to focus or relax.

Plan a regular time during the week that's just for fun activities. If you feel too busy, find time that's just for yourself. A brief walk outside can do wonders to refresh our day.

Close your eyes and pay attention to your breathing. Take 6 slow deep breaths in and out. Check in with how you feel. This link offers more examples of calming breathing: www.healthline.com/health/anxiety/anxiety-breathing#breathing-exercises

Share your feelings.

Stay connected – reach out regularly to friends or family. Even a 5-minute phone check-in,

several times a week, can make a difference. And let people know you appreciate them – gratitude can be a powerful protective factor.

Still feel like it’s all too much? If you're feeling stressed in Colorado, you can connect with a warm line for support through Colorado Crisis Services.

Call 1-844-493-8255 and press * for the peer support line/warmline.

Text "TALK" to 38255. These services are free, confidential, and available 24/7.

For additional support, consider support groups or short-term counseling.

As we focus on our vitality for August, we can reflect on what wellness cairns guide our path. How can we carve out more time to “slow down and breathe deeply?” During these uncertain times, we can find solace in being better guided even when the trail path isn’t obvious. Be well and stay safe.

Photo Credit: Roland Halpern