With the endless hustle and bustle of life as we know it today, it can be alarmingly easy to lose sight of yourself. And how could you not, when it feels like there are a million things to do on a day-to-day basis, both big and small? Personal relationships, career struggles, worries about your health- drowning in so many issues is simple. It can get overwhelming.
So what can you do to reclaim your peace in these seemingly simple but turbulent times? Why, practice mindfulness through meditation!
Mindfulness is the ability of a person to be 100% there, present and engaged in the moment. And it has a ton of wonderful benefits that are easy to get: less stress and depression, increased creativity and focus levels, and generally better moods. It lets you see both the finer details and the big picture in the world around you.
The wonderful thing about mindfulness is that it is absolutely accessible to anyone. It helps alleviate a bevy of bad stuff: depression, anxiety, stress, pain, and more. And sne such way to being more mindful is through meditation.
Meditation can be done almost anywhere that is quiet. Whether it’s in a dedicated room in your home or office or simply right there at your desk during a break, practicing meditation can be done by anyone- no fancy equipment needed. I’ll walk you through the steps:
First, take the time to pause. Stop whatever it is you are doing. Put the phone down. Close your laptop. You have to be present in the moment, with yourself. If you are already in a quiet place where you can be comfortable, good. If not, perhaps find one. Sit in a way that is comfortable. Keep your back, neck, and head straight in a way that is calm and relaxed.
Then, become actively aware of your breathing. Feel the air move in, out, and course through your body. Breathe in through your nostrils and out through your mouth. Truly feel everything- the changes in the way you breathe, the motions of it all.
Next, actively pay attention to your surroundings. Do not think in a way that is judging. Simply take it all in. Allow your thoughts about the present to roll over you. If your mind wanders off, simply reel it back gently. If thoughts about the past or the future crop up, allow them to stay an instant in your mind before pushing them away to bring your focus back to the present. It’s all about the moment! Your breathing anchors you.
Be kind to yourself during meditation. Allow intrusive thoughts to enter before letting them roll off of you like water off a duck’s back. Forgive your anxieties and worries but also ward them off with your conscious breathing and the feeling of being in the moment.
Finally, simply sit still for about a minute or so. Take in again your environment. Bask in the present. Slowly and gently, get up and resume what it is you were doing- except this time, you’ll be able to do so with a renewed, refreshing sense of mindfulness!