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Mindfulness can be achieved even by the busiest of people…

A very busy person herself: a mom, wife, clinical psychologist, author… need I say more? Dr. Chantal shares what mindfulness has brought to her life and how she has been able to apply this practice without having to chime bells every hour or set aside swaths of time – that frankly, few of us have!

Here are some highlights of our discussion:

• How she was introduced to mindfulness
• Her initial skepticism of mindfulness
• Red Brain : Orange Brain : Green Brain States
• “‘Red Brain’ brings out the worst in us, ‘Green Brain’ brings out the best in us.” – Dr. Chantal Hofstee
• ‘Orange Brain’ is the to-do list brain.
• How you can live from the ‘Green Brain’ State
• What “stay green” means in her office.
• In the Green Brain State you can be more productive and feel good at the same time.
• The Productivity Myth
• An explanation of procrastination
• Having more consistent output and energy
• Stress gives us tunnel vision
• “Green Brain – the absence of stress – makes us flexible, creative, see new ideas and angles and ways to work smarter.” – Dr. Chantal Hofstee
• Neuroplasticity – you can rewire your brain!
• With mindfulness you can rewire your brain to handle stress
• After 6-8 weeks of practicing mindfulness the amygdala (fear center) of the brain literally shrinks!
• How Dr. Chantal practices what she preaches, her ‘Green Brain Activators’. She gets up early for a short morning run… gratitude practice… setting a daily goal… savoring her morning coffee.
• How she created a happier, more connected morning routine with her 4 and 1 year old children.
• Her perspective on the concept of “judgement”
• You can be angry or sad in ‘Green Brain’ – it’s just different.
• “Emotion is a signal that something needs to be addressed.”  – Dr. Chantal Hofstee
• “Emotions are my internal GPS.”  – Dr. Chantal Hofstee
• What is helpful?…
• Check out her book “Mindfulness on the Run” and online programs

About Dr. Chantal Hofstee

Based in Auckland, born in the Netherlands, Dr Chantal Hofstee lives and breathes mindfulness. A Clinical Psychologist, Mindfulness trainer and author. She is a strong believer in taking control of your happiness rather than seeking it outside of yourself. Accessible, warm and compassionate and in the first minutes with her you can tell she teaches from both her brain and her heart. Check out her insightful extended bio here as well as her books and resources!