Creating a Safe Space - Guided Meditation with Dr Lisa Tyrer

Creating a Safe Space - Guided Meditation with Dr Lisa Tyrer

What can we learn from those who have battled addiction? For many health and care professionals, stress and overwhelm are daily companions, and reaching for alcohol or other unhelpful coping tools can start to feel almost automatic. This short guided meditation offers a gentle pause button. Led by Practitioner Health therapist Dr Lisa Tyrer, the session is designed as an 8‑minute reset after a demanding shift.

Rather than theory or long discussion, you’ll get a calm, steady voice guiding you to sit comfortably, follow your breath, and soften those familiar pockets of tension in the body. Dr Tyrer normalises mind‑wandering and uncomfortable feelings, inviting you to "accept any mind wandering" and bring your focus back kindly, rather than with self‑criticism. The heart of the practice is building an inner "safe space" – a real or imagined place that feels secure.

You’re guided to notice sounds, smells, the temperature of the air, and the ground under your feet, using all the senses to make that space feel vivid and accessible. This is especially helpful if you’re coming off a high‑pressure shift, feeling wired, or tempted to numb out. The episode targets doctors and other healthcare workers supported by NHS Practitioner Health, but anyone dealing with stress, burnout, or cravings can relate.

It’s particularly relevant for people in recovery who need fast, practical ways to self‑soothe that don’t involve alcohol or other substances. By the end, you’re gently brought back to the room with small movements and deeper breaths, reminded that this safe image is "within us and gives us a moment of calm and pause" whenever overwhelm hits.

If you’ve been meaning to try a simple grounding practice but keep putting it off, this could be the easiest 8‑minute experiment you make space for today. Could this become your new go‑to ritual after a tough day instead of reaching for a drink?