The Power of a Reset
A couple of times this week, I helped people with tech issues. When all else failed, the trusty reboot did the trick. Sometimes it's quick. Sometimes it takes a while. Just like life.
It got me thinking—how often do I consciously reboot? To intentionally pause—quickly or deeply—so I can return more focused, calm, and resilient? Teacher, take thine own advice!
Humbly, I confess, I don’t always practice what I guide others to do in my coaching practice and in our retreats. Darn human that I am! I’m always impressed by how well Juniper keeps consciously resetting, and how she helps clients reset through acupuncture and Qigong. Juniper and I help our NourishDeep retreatants learn how to reset—but I sometimes forget to do it for myself. So I decided to write about it—partly to hold myself accountable, and partly to invite you into the reflection:
What if I got better at rebooting—resetting—myself?
What might be the impact?
🔀 Types of Resets
Humans benefit from many kinds of resets—intentional or unintentional pauses that recalibrate the mind, body, emotions, and spirit. They interrupt stress cycles, restore energy, boost creativity, enhance clarity, and foster resilience.
Below are five types of resets. Each has a different focus and purpose, and all require intentionality.
🕊 1. Spiritual / Purpose-Driven Reset
This type of holistic reset helps you take stock of life’s flow and vitality, reflect on where you are, learn new ways of being, and choose how you want to live moving forward. It may include practicing some of the resets below to gain greater self awareness and reflection. These resets usually have a longer time span to the reset—a retreat, spiritual direction journey, or religious season (Lent, Ramadan, Yom Kippur, etc.).
💪 2. Physiological Reset
These help your body (and sometimes mind!) return to balance. They can be as simple as a deep breath, a stretch, a glass of water, a nap—or more involved, like a nutritional plan, strict sleep schedule or working with a trainer. Physical practices often support emotional and mental resets, too. The body, mind, and emotions are so deeply connected! (Learn how we use all three in our work when you read about our “Tree Angel.”)
💓 3. Emotional Reset
These are in-the-moment strategies that help you regulate your emotions—especially when you feel triggered or off-balance. Naming emotions to “tame” them or grounding practices like meditation or breathing exercises can all help bring your emotional state back to center. (Learn about “How to Install Your Emotional Reset Button” here.)
🧠 4. Mental Reset
Mental resets shift your thinking—reframing a situation, challenging limiting beliefs, or choosing a new perspective. Journaling, reflection exercises, and cognitive reframes are common practices here.
🔄 5. Transition Reset
These happen when you move from one activity or context to another—like shifting from work to home, from email to a meeting, or from listening to speaking. A brief reset can help you stay present, let go of the last moment, and bring clarity and focus to what’s next.
🧬 A Bit of Neuroscience & Resets
Science gives us even more reason to pause and reset. Here are a few insights:
Dopamine: Small shifts in movement or sensory input (walking into another room, hearing music) release dopamine, which boosts motivation, attention, and learning. It’s your brain’s “natural reset button.”
Prefrontal Cortex (your Executive Center): Extended focus taxes the brain. Pausing for a breath or noticing a birdsong gives your prefrontal cortex a break, reducing fatigue and enhancing decision-making and self-control.
Neural Repatterning: A change in physical state (posture, movement, environment) interrupts habitual thought loops and promotes neural flexibility. Think hoola-hoop to break thought loops! 🙂
In short: Your brain and body are ready and waiting to support your reset. It doesn’t have to take long—but it does take intention.
🔍 What’s your reset agility?
Which of these reset types do you already practice consistently?
Which one might support you more right now?
Do you have at least one go-to strategy for each type?
If not, how might you start building your reset toolbox?
When was the last time you went on a retreat?
🌱 Start Small: A Daily Transitional Reset Practice
Transitional resets are a great entry point—they're already part of your day, and they don’t take much time. Here's how to start:
Pick a regular transition moment: Something you already do 1–3 times a day (e.g. brushing teeth, starting a Zoom meeting, walking your dog, getting into your car, etc.).
Choose a simple reset activity:
Take a deep breath
Stretch your arms across your chest
Say a mantra: “I choose presence.”
Hold a stone and notice its texture
Hug yourself or gently press your hands to your heart
Pause for 3–5 seconds: Let your thoughts melt away. Clear the slate for what’s next.
Repeat daily for 3 weeks. Notice how your clarity, presence, and intentionality begin to grow.
💬 Need A Reset?
Resets are essential for human flourishing. They are not indulgences—they’re skills and strategies for sustainable living. Just like our devices need to be restarted to work well, we too need intentional pauses and resets to refresh our clarity, compassion, and capacity.
There are many ways to reset, and we’re here to help. Our NourishDeep Retreats teach and practice a wide range of reset strategies that support clarity, calm, and confidence. We weave East and West wisdom traditions with practical tools you can use long after the retreat ends. Join one of our remaining 2025 retreats!
Inner Reset - Finding Balance & Clarity: Minnesota, Sept 12-14th
Retreat to the Hill Country: Texas, Nov 14-16th
We’d love to hear from you! What reset are you practicing today? What impact did it have?
Click here for a free download of FIVE SIMPLE RESETS and brief info about the neuroscience link.