Being stressed sucks!
Personally, I can get high-strung easy, all up in a tizzy, and let my emotions get the best of me if I’m not in the right mindset. Being flustered is my middle name if I allow it, but ain't nobody got time for that! I'd rather be calm and collected. When I'm calm, I can bring the best version of myself to the table.
Ya with me?
So...
In order to fight the anxiety, because let's be real, it can be a fight sometimes, I had to learn better ways to cope so my mind wouldn't go bonkers.
What helped me? Truly...Mediation and deep breathing.
I'm sure you hear it all over the world wide wide, perhaps you’re sick of hearing about how meditation lowers stress, but there is proof in the pudding. (And I like pudding!)
Stick with me…
If you’re not into the whole lying on your back for 15-20 minutes, you can even meditate sitting up. I like lying down, but to each is their own.
Side note: If you are sitting up, please don’t do this at work unless you’re ready to face plant your keyboard. Mediation can cause drowsiness.
I may have done this once…just saying.
Anywho, if you’re skeptical, I get it. I was too. The concept of having a quiet mind seemed weird at first. I also have a go-getter attitude, so I didn’t see the benefit of being still until I started the practice. Because it is a practice. If you’ve never meditated, it takes a bit to clear and be ok with your thoughts.
Things I've learned a long the way that I'd like to share with you...
I personally like guided mediation best! But your call...Beach waves are also great! Put you mind on the sand, and hear the seagulls.
Questions before I started. Because questions are normal...I would wonder:
Would my brain just shut off to the world if I relaxed it too much?
Would I dream?
Would I even hear what was going on around me?
The answers really are never the same. Each time I meditate, I sometimes have an imagination, other times, it’s just a moment of peaceful relaxation.
I will say, it’s different for everyone.
For the last 5 years, I meditate on the daily each morning before work, but you find a time that’s right for YOU. Perhaps at night, just before bed, or on your lunch break.
YouTube is a great tool for lots of meditations, but heck, be creative.
What did I realize (and still appreciate)?
Mediation is about breathing, and as we mediate, we put our breathing at a slower rate, similar to sleep. This lets us to be present and allows us to control our emotions. Or at least conquer emotions in a different way.
It allows us to gain better understanding of what we’re thinking, feeling, behaving, etc. All this can have an impact our mood.
And...
You know that feeling you get when you’re all kinds of frustrated? Like your heart is about to pop out of your chest? It’s horrible, but meditation can help ease that by calming out heart rate.
The list goes on and on, but I’d say, don’t knock it till you try it. Try the practice for a while (couple months at the least) to truly reap the benefits.
Are you in?
Comment if you’ve meditated and share your thoughts below.
