Meditation.
Be honest, do you just think of hippies and something people quest to India to do with wise old men?
I did too. But now, its such a big part of my life, I don’t know how I survived without it! Meditation is very personal, and there is no right or wrong way to do it. For example, I like to sit cross legged on a comfortable space, no shoes on, and be mindful (mindfulness meditation) – thinking of my environment, saying in my head what I can see, smell, feel – it helps bring my attention to the here and now, and helped a lot with an anxiety issue I used to suffer with. For Michiel, his meditation is just to sit, with no technology or phone around him, no distractions, and just think. Both are forms of meditation. Remember – no right or wrong way!
- Sit or lie comfortably. You may even want to invest in a meditation chair.
- Close your eyes.
- Make no effort to control anything; simply breathe naturally.
- Focus your attention on the breath and on how the body moves with each inhalation and exhalation – breathing slower means the body needs less oxygen, reducing stress and feeling less anxious.
One of the best tips I have for anyone starting with meditation, is to start small, 5 minutes of downtime, with no technology, and don’t judge your thoughts. If you think things and can’t get a ‘clear mind’ – thats cool too, just allow everything – every feeling – and don’t get frustrated with yourself.
It took me a while to get ‘into’ it – but once I did, I loved it. It is a time that I can just focus on myself, especially if I am busy or have a lot going on, a few minutes of ME. Even better in beautiful locations with nature on my side!
There are so many benefits to meditating (or whatever you want to call it), including reducing depression, making you more focussed, helping you relax, reducing blood pressure… more benefits and tips here.
