What 22 Hours in A&E Taught Me About Love & Kindness
Mindfulness in the Midst of Chaos
This week, I found myself in an unexpected situation—22 hours in the emergency room with my mum and dad, waiting alongside a family member who had suffered a seizure. We were exhausted, worried, and at the mercy of hospital time. But in all the stress and discomfort, something else stood out to me — mindfulness.
Even without a yoga mat in sight, I realised my practice was still with me.
This was no time for a downward dog, but I found myself focusing on my breath, staying present, and grounding myself in the moment. Instead of letting my mind race ahead with worry and exhaustion, I kept returning to the simple things around me — the hum of hospital machines, the feeling of my breath moving in and out, the small moments of connection with others.
Mindfulness gave me the space to choose my response rather than letting the overwhelming emotions of the situation take over.
Humour, Laughter Yoga and a Little Dance
In the midst of all the uncertainty, my dad and I found a moment to laugh and dance together in the waiting room. It wasn’t about ignoring the situation, but about finding a small pocket of joy. We laughed at the absurdity of it all, which felt like a bit of lightness in an otherwise heavy time.
This experience brought me back to my Laughter Yoga practice, which has taught me how powerful humour can be — especially in times of crisis. Laughter isn’t just a response to happiness; it’s also a way to cope with stress and help lighten heavy moments. Even in the hardest of times, it is possible to laugh, and laughter often creates a surprising space for connection and joy.
Love: Experiencing Compassion in Difficult Times
While laughter brought us joy, the sense of love was present in other ways. Even in the middle of a busy hospital emergency room, I witnessed countless small acts of love and kindness. There were those who quietly helped each other, offering blankets, sharing phone chargers, or checking on someone who had fallen asleep.
I also practised Tonglen meditation in response to the pain I saw around me — a technique where you breathe in someone else’s suffering and breathe out what they need, whether that’s comfort, relief, or strength. It’s not about taking on their pain, but holding space for it, sharing a bit of light in the darkness.
What struck me most, though, was that love is felt most strongly in difficult times. While worry and fear were certainly present, there was an undeniable sense of compassion in the room, from both strangers and loved ones. And in that moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of connection to everyone around me.
The Power of Choosing Our Emotions
This experience reminded me of a simple but profound truth: we can only feel one emotion at a time. In the hardest moments, our minds might want to focus on fear, worry, or exhaustion. But through mindfulness, we can create space to choose something different.
Instead of drowning in stress, I kept returning to the present moment, allowing myself to experience moments of kindness, joy, and love instead.
Whether through humour or acts of compassion, we have the power to choose our emotional response — because in the toughest times, we can choose to experience something other than fear. And sometimes, that something is love or joy — whether through a shared laugh, a small act of kindness, or simply being present with one another.
How Mindfulness Rewires the Brain
One of the fascinating things about mindfulness and yoga is how they can rewire our brains. Years of practice have taught me how to return to presence and connection, even in stressful situations. Through neuroplasticity, our brains can change, allowing us to respond with calmness and compassion rather than panic.
It’s not about avoiding difficult emotions; it’s about creating space for more than just fear and stress. And that’s the power of mindfulness and movement.
A Small Invitation
If this post resonated with you, maybe take a moment today to notice those small acts of kindness — whether it’s offering a smile, making someone a cuppa, or simply being present. And if you’d like to explore how mindfulness and movement can support you in stressful times, my Online Yoga Membership is always there when you need it.
The Mindfulness and Yoga for Challenging Times practice is now available to watch on demand as part of the £10/month Online Yoga Membership, bringing together mindfulness, humour, and love-based techniques to help you navigate difficult moments. I’d love for you to join me on the mat.
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About the Author
Hello! 👋🏼 I’m Paula Roberts, Head of Happiness at Happy Yoga Wales!
I am a passionate advocate for accessible wellness with over 20 years of experience in education, first as a fully qualified school teacher, and now as a 500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance International, a Level 3 Personal Trainer, and certified Laughter Yoga Leader.
With a busy mind that’s always buzzing, and as a self-confessed Recovering Perfectionist, movement has been my go-to for finding calm and clarity. Yoga has been my anchor, helping me slow down, reset, and thrive. It’s my mission to share that with you through my approachable and down-to-earth teaching style. Find out more about my journey here.
See you on the mat for Less Stress & More Yoga ✨
Paula 😃🙏
Practice with me! 😃
Before you go, I’d love to invite you to join my online movement & mindfulness classes!
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