Meditation is very beneficial to our mental and physical health. Now you may be thinking, I have tried to meditate before and failed or it just didn’t work for me! Well let’s try again. What have you got to lose? It’s not like you don’t have the time. Now is the perfect time! Don’t we all need to relieve some anxiety, fear, and boredom these days? I am sure by now your homes and yards are probably looking the best they ever have. So, how about focusing on another de-cluttering project, one of the mind.
Find a quiet place to be still for a few moments each day. Silence your tv, computer, and phone. Set an alarm and start with a couple minutes. Now just breathe. Breathe in and breathe out slowly. Feel the cool sensation of the air entering and exiting your lungs. Take your time. When you really pay attention, you will notice a lovely stillness at the bottom of the exhalation.
Some find it beneficial to count their breaths in the beginning. Don’t get discouraged if your mind appears to be running rampant and you feel bombarded with an array of negative or irrelevant thoughts. This is what the brain does. It is normal. Instead of getting frustrated, be an observer of your thoughts and try not to get caught up in them, just watch them for a moment and then return focus to your breathing. This can be an interesting experiment and one of great discovery.
You don’t always have to sit in a quiet room with your legs twisted into a pretzel, although finding a relaxing location is helpful, you can practice mindfulness anywhere at anytime throughout the day. You can concentrate on what you are doing whether it is a hobby or a chore. Yes, the mind will wander like it often does, but noticing this and returning your focus to the task at hand will improve over time. Being mindful of your mind, and intentionally guiding it in a direction that is positive and beneficial to your well being is key.
It is very unfortunate that many people often believe their own thoughts. So many of us find it hard to differentiate between our brain’s concoction of random thoughts and our own intentional ones. When you start to observe your thoughts and negate the ones that do not serve you, you can gain a sense of freedom and peace in knowing that you have the ability to guide them and ultimately almost every decision and action.
Don’t give up and know that your self-care is not selfish and is essential for optimal health, which is paramount during this time.
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