It’s common knowledge that we live in an “achieving” and “doing” society. Often, we don’t realize how wound up we are until we become one of the lucky ones who begins to glimpse life from a different perspective. We might think it’s just our mind or mood that suffers (Why can’t I just stay asleep at night? Why can’t I kick this anxiety?), but our bodies hold much of that tension too. If you are dealing with pelvic floor issues, TMJ, or other symptoms from something being overly “tight,” meditation might be for you. Yes, sitting and doing nothing is good for you and can ultimately make you happier and more productive. This is your opportunity to shut out all the noise, turn off negative thoughts about yourself, and tune into who you truly are.
Meditation
Find a comfortable spot and close your eyes. Focus on and feel your inhale, then focus on and feel your exhale. Continue doing this for your set period of time (you could set a timer on your phone—start with just 1 minute!). That’s pretty much it. If you can’t turn your mind off yet, keep practicing. It can help to find words that are meaningful to you, maybe one for the inhale and one for the exhale. For instance, I like to think on my inhale, “inhale faith and hope,” and on the exhale, “exhale fear and doubt.” With your chosen words taking your attention, it can help block out other thoughts and help you visualize how your words could play out in your life. I feel equal parts peaceful and powerful when I have faith and hope in my life and can let go of fear and doubt. Good ol’ “om” is pretty powerful too.
Habit Forming
Try pairing meditation with transitions from the car: before you go into work, pick up the kids, or before you leave the car to walk into the house. Close your eyes and sit in your car for one minute or more before you transition to the next phase of your day. Breathe deeply, focus on your chosen word or words, and let go of tension with each exhale.
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