Before You Respond

Before You
Respond

Why We React—and How to Choose What Comes Next

Why do we reach for our phone while the kettle boils, or send a message we wish we’d waited to send? Explore what shapes those automatic reactions and how to make room for a more deliberate response.

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A self-reflection quiz

What’s Your First Reaction?

Think about what you usually do first in these four everyday situations. Your result includes one practice to try.

A practice to try

The Pause

Picture an irritated reply you’re about to send. Before you hit send, take a moment to notice what you’re feeling and decide what you want the reply to accomplish.

Try the three prompts
  1. What am I feeling right now?
  2. What am I about to do automatically?
  3. What could I say that would help the conversation move forward?

Get the Book

Behavioural science, everyday stories, and insights from Ayurveda and Yoga guide readers through three parts: Recognise, Respond, and Reflect.

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The Pause Letter

One everyday situation, one insight, and one practice to try.

Sample issue

While the kettle boils

There’s a minute before the water is ready. Your hand is already reaching for your phone. A small wait can make a familiar habit easier to notice.

Next time you’re waiting for the kettle, leave the phone where it is for one breath. Notice the urge to reach for it, then decide what you want to do with that minute.

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About the author

Dr. Adithya Panicker

Dr. Adithya Panicker is an Ayurveda physician with an MD in Ayurveda Pharmaceuticals and an MBA from IIM Shillong. His work brings together traditional knowledge, modern science, and everyday practice.

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