TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Jun 24, 2020

The STOP practice is a great tool for difficult moments. The four steps can take as little as a few seconds to a few minutes to complete. There are no rules as to how much time should be spent doing each step. Try it out and adjust as needed. Here are the steps: S - Stop what you are doing. Give yourself a moment to rest, pause, and collect yourself. T - Take a conscious breath then take a deeper breath, or two. Now breathe deeply. O - Observe. Take note of your thoughts, emotions or bodily sensations, and then take note of your circumstances. Notice how you can be in a situation without being ruled by it. P - Proceed with intentionality, taking the next step in your day from a place of strength, wisdom, and presence. According to Rhonda V. Magee, a law professor and facilitator of mindfulness interventions, the STOP tool can be used whenever we feel distress to create space to observe and tame our feelings. Read more from Magee on Mindful.org.