Wellness in Therapy

Mindfulness Resources

Guided videos and simple practices to use between sessions

Quick Calm

5-4-3-2-1 Grounding

Watch a short guided grounding video from CAMH, or try the steps below.

Video: CAMH

Try it
  1. Name 5 things you see.
  2. 4 things you feel.
  3. 3 sounds you hear.
  4. 2 things you smell.
  5. 1 thing you taste.

Box Breathing

Breathe along with this guided video from Sunnybrook Hospital.

Video: Sunnybrook Hospital

Try it
  1. Breathe in for 4.
  2. Hold for 4.
  3. Breathe out for 4.
  4. Pause for 4.
  5. Repeat. If holding feels uncomfortable, just make the out-breath longer.

Three-Minute Pause

A guided mini reset before a hard moment.

Video: Epworth HealthCare

Try it
  1. Notice what you’re thinking and feeling.
  2. Gather your attention on the breath.
  3. Widen it to your whole body and the room.

Anxiety & Worry

Leaves on a Stream

Learn the skill, then follow along as your thoughts float by.

Video: Therapy in a Nutshell

Try it
  1. Picture leaves floating down a gentle stream.
  2. Place each thought on a leaf and let it drift away.
  3. Got caught up? That’s normal. Just start again.

Worry Time

Hands writing in a journal15 min a day

Give worries a set time and place.

Try it
  1. Pick 15 minutes at the same time each day.
  2. Write your worries down then.
  3. If one pops up earlier, note “save for later” and carry on.

MindShift CBT App

Hand holding a cup by a bright windowAnxiety Canada

Free app with tools for worry, panic and stress.

iPhoneAndroid

Sleep & Rest

Body Scan

A 10-minute guided body scan to help you relax into sleep.

Video: Headspace

Audio version (UCLA)

Wind-Down Hour

Soft bedside lamp glowingEvening

Signal to your body that it’s time to rest.

Try it
  • Dim lights, screens away.
  • One calming thing: shower, stretch, or read.
  • Write tomorrow’s to-dos on paper.

When Your Mind Races

Calm, tidy bedroom3 min · In bed

Rest on the body, not the thoughts.

Try it
  1. Feel the bed holding you up.
  2. Let your head, back and legs get heavy.
  3. Breathe out a little longer than you breathe in.

Self-Compassion

Self-Compassion Break

For moments that hurt, guided by Dr. Kristin Neff.

Video: Dr. Kristin Neff

Try it
  1. “This is a hard moment.”
  2. “I’m not alone. Others feel this too.”
  3. Hand on heart: “What do I need to hear right now?”

Soothing Touch

Hands gently holding each other1 min

Let your body feel cared for.

Try it

Place a hand on your heart or cheek, or give yourself a gentle hug. Stay for a few slow breaths.

Guided Practices

Handwritten letterself-compassion.org

Free guided audio from Dr. Kristin Neff.

Listen

DBT Mindfulness

Wise Mind

A short DBT visualization to find the place where feeling and logic meet.

Video: Utah Center for Evidence Based Treatment

Try it

Take a slow breath in and ask, “What does wise mind say?” Breathe out and listen for the quiet answer.

Observe, Describe, Participate

Still lake at dawn with a small dock“What” skills

Notice, name it, and be fully present.

Try it
  • Observe: notice without reacting.
  • Describe: “I notice tightness in my chest.”
  • Participate: throw yourself into the moment.

One Thing Mindfully

Hands holding a warm cup of teaEveryday

Turn a daily task into practice.

Try it

Pick one task, like making tea or washing dishes. Do only that, with all your senses. When your mind wanders, come back.

More Free Support

UCLA Mindful

A 5-minute guided breathing meditation. More free meditations and a free app on their site.

Video: UCLA Mindful

More from UCLA

BounceBack Ontario

Plants by a window in soft lightCMHA · Free · 15+

Free skill-building program for stress, worry and low mood.

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Videos are from trusted outside organizations and play through YouTube. For general education and self-care only, not a substitute for professional care.