By Kristina Cavit, MNZM
Mindfulness Educator | Founder of The Kindness Institute | Co-Founder of TAIORA
There’s so much mamae (pain) in the world — and I’ve felt it too.
That pressure, the overwhelm, the sense that you’re one small moment away from losing it. Mindfulness isn’t just something I teach — it’s something I need. It’s what helps me stay connected with my kids when I’m spent. It’s what’s kept me grounded through burnout and exhaustion.
This practice has literally changed my brain — and my life. The science backs it: mindfulness strengthens the parts of your brain that help you stay calm under pressure. It can lower inflammation, support your immune system, even influence the genes linked to how long you live.
But for me, it’s simple: it helps me stay connected to who I really am, even when the world feels like too much.
The power of small, consistent moments of calm
What’s the most powerful thing we can do in our homes today?
Pause and breathe before we respond.
It’s not dramatic — it’s quiet. It’s the pause before we react. The breath before we speak. These small, consistent moments of calm can change the tone of your whole day.
Consistency always beats intensity.
Try The 1-Minute Reset: when you feel hōhā or overwhelmed, pause. Breathe in slowly. Breathe out even slower. Just for one minute. Over time, this tiny act becomes a powerful anchor.
I’ve seen this work everywhere — from wāhine in prison to business leaders, from rangatahi facing trauma to parents just trying to get through the day. I use it myself, daily, while parenting and working. And what I know for sure? It’s not the big, fancy tools that shift us — it’s the ones we actually use.
Link your breath to something you already do — making tea, driving, closing the kids’ door at night. Commit to one anchor moment a day. That’s how we can future-proof our hauora — our wellbeing.
What Mindfulness Month has taught me
Over the last three years of running Mindfulness Month, my endometriosis pain and fatigue have been relentless. But seeing so many others show up each day — people facing their own struggles and still choosing to meditate — has inspired me to keep going.
Hearing their stories of how mindfulness helped ease their pain, calm their minds, and bring moments of peace has been deeply moving. The feedback reminds me that this practice isn’t just about managing symptoms — it’s about creating space for hope and strength, together.
The Mindfulness Month community is so supportive.
It’s helped people feel calmer and more connected to themselves — often in just a few minutes a day. Many shared that the daily emails and podcasts became something they genuinely looked forward to, helping them start each day with more intention.
✨ 96% said it changed their wellbeing practices.
📈 There was a 28% increase in how much people prioritised their hauora.
💬 The use of te reo uplifted people’s wairua, and the calm, real tone made it easy to connect.
For many, it wasn’t just helpful — it was life-changing.
Mauri ora e te whānau.
Ready to find a little more calm and clarity?
Mindfulness Month is a free, month-long journey packed with support to help you reconnect with your wellbeing — wherever you’re at.
🧘♀️ Free guided mindfulness meditations
🌱 Māuri Tau tools and wellbeing resources
📅 Weekly live online meditation sessions
Whether you're new to mindfulness or looking to deepen your practice, this is a beautiful way to ground yourself and feel more connected — one breath at a time.
