Are you starting your week with tight fists and a clenched jaw?
When Monday morning brings unexpected demands or tasks we would rather avoid, our bodies instinctively go into defense mode. We hunch our shoulders, grip our steering wheels or desks, and clench our facial muscles in physical resistance. In neurobiology and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), we know that somatic posture isn't just an outcome of emotion—it drives it. When you physically brace against your day, your body signals to your brain that you are under threat, triggering unnecessary stress and exhaustion.
In this 10-minute Mindfulness Monday micro-session, we explore two powerful, evidence-based physical resets developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan: Willing Hands and the Radical Half-Smile.
Instead of trying to force your mind to think positive thoughts, we use the body-brain feedback loop from the outside in. Learn how a subtle shift in your palms and facial muscles can interrupt the fight-or-flight response, dissolve useless friction, and help you meet your workday demands with calm capability.
Take ten minutes this morning to drop your fists, soften your stance, and meet your week with willingness.
We’d love to hear how this physical reset felt for you today!
To help you find your baseline, today’s episode featured:
Music provided by Epidemic Sound.
","author_name":"John Shaw"}