How One Breath Can Change Your Day: Mindfulness Made Simple

Mindfulness is more than meditation — it’s a way of connecting with the present moment, finding calm in chaos, and reclaiming your power even in stressful caregiving seasons.

In this episode, Laura Vaillancourt sits down with Laura Alessio, a registered nurse and health and wellness coach, to explore how mindfulness can improve our lives and relationships, help us slow down, and even rewire the way we handle stress.

Whether you’re a caregiver feeling overwhelmed or simply looking for practical ways to bring more calm into your day, this conversation will leave you inspired and equipped to start small but powerful mindfulness practices.

👤 Meet Laura Alessio

Laura Alessio, RN, is a health and wellness coach passionate about helping people integrate mindfulness and self-care into their everyday lives. She founded the free Facebook group Stress Less with Mindfulness, where people can find a safe, supportive community for learning and practicing mindfulness.

📌 Topics Discussed

• How Laura discovered mindfulness and integrated it into her nursing career
• The link between mindfulness and stress reduction for caregivers
• What mindfulness actually looks like (beyond meditation)
• How multitasking rewires the brain — and why “monotasking” matters
• The power of mindful breathing and micro-practices throughout the day
• Using mindfulness to handle high-stress caregiving moments with grace
• Reframing negative self-talk and shifting mental patterns
• Practical tips for incorporating mindfulness into everyday tasks (even laundry!)

⏱️ Timestamps (Approximate)

00:00 – Welcome & how Laura and Laura met at a healthcare event

03:00 – What drew Laura Alessio to mindfulness and nurse coaching

08:00 – What mindfulness really is (and isn’t)

13:00 – Caregivers, multitasking, and how to rewire the stressed brain

18:00 – Micro-practices: one deep breath can shift everything

22:00 – Using mindfulness in challenging caregiving moments

27:00 – Reprogramming negative thoughts & self-talk

33:00 – How mindfulness impacts physical and emotional health

38:00 – Practical steps to integrate mindfulness into daily life

44:00 – Guided breathing exercise

💡 Key Takeaways

• Mindfulness is not about perfection or long sessions — it’s about awareness in the moment.
• Small actions (like a single deep breath) can calm the nervous system and shift your energy.
• Multitasking is a learned state, but mindfulness can help rewire the brain toward focus and calm.
• Mindfulness improves caregiving experiences by helping regulate your own energy and responses.
• You don’t need extra time to practice mindfulness — you can integrate it into everyday tasks.

📚 Resources Mentioned

• Free Facebook Group: Stress Less with Mindfulness
• nursecoachalessio.com
• Dr. Joe Dispenza’s work on brain rewiring and meditation

🤝 Connect with Laura Alessio

• Website: nursecoachalessio.com
• Facebook Group: Stress Less with Mindfulness
• Instagram & LinkedIn: @nursecoachalessio

🌿 Connect with Laura Vaillancourt & the Life on Repeat Podcast

• Instagram: @lifeonrepeat.podcast
• Facebook: facebook.com/Lifeonrepeatpodcast
• Website: