When I was first introduced to the practice of Connecting to a Moment of Nurturance in CBCT® (Cognitively-Based Compassion Training), something inside of me shifted. The idea was simple—recall a time when I felt cared for, supported, or safe. It could be a memory of sitting with a loved one, being comforted by a friend, or even resting quietly in nature. But what I discovered in practicing this was far from simple. It was profound.

For so long, I hadn’t realized how much stress had become my “normal.” Life was chaotic, full of responsibilities and challenges. I didn’t even recognize how tense my body felt or how fast my thoughts were racing. Stress had become the background noise of my life. Then, in this exercise, I was invited to pause and remember a moment when I truly felt cared for.I closed my eyes and thought of a summer afternoon with my grandmother. I could almost smell the fresh biscuits she pulled from the oven, hear her laughter, and feel the gentle squeeze of her hand in mine. Within minutes, I noticed my shoulders drop, my breath soften, and my heart feel lighter. I was amazed at how quickly my body responded—not because I had traveled back in time, but because my mind had.

Science tells us that the body doesn’t always distinguish between actually being in a place of safety and recalling it vividly. That’s why vacations feel so restorative—we give ourselves permission to rest and connect with joy. But research now shows that we don’t need to physically be on a beach or in the mountains to access that peace. By practicing the art of remembering, we can evoke the same calming effect in the present moment.

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