“If you do one thing for your wellbeing, get into mindfulness meditation.
Why meditate? It helps you to handle the pressure and more. ‘Mindfulness works by creating a sense of space in which depression, anxiety and stress melt away.’ says Danny Penman. ” W&H Magazine
The highly regarded philosopher and spiritual teacher, Sri Ramana Maharshi, was once asked, “Is it imperative to meditate every day?”
He replied: “Your whole life should be a meditation.”
In other words, we should try to be completely in the moment all the time. While I find his words inspiring, for me, a period of mindfulness meditation every day is invaluable in reminding me to be in the Now. Sitting still for 30mins in itself brings a measure of stillness to the hyper-active mind and gives the body a chance to relax and rejuvenate, to shed the stresses of the day.
If 30 minutes seems an age, here’s a quick mini-meditation that is refreshing and helps stop the build-up of tension. Use your senses to come into the present:
Sit comfortably.
Look around – be aware of what you see and acknowledge where you are.
What do you feel? – eg your weight on the chair, your clothes against our skin.
What do you taste? (Not always evident)
What do you smell?
What do you hear? just listen to all the sounds around you, near and far. (You can close your eyes for this part if appropriate) Hold this listening for a minute or two.
This is an exercise you practise anywhere at any time – your senses are always with you and it’s free!
(For more detail refer Chapter one, Living in the Now – Less Stress, More Happiness by Jill Jacques, available as an ebook on Amazon.com)
Good luck with your efforts and remember to be kind and gentle with yourself – we’ve been programmed to value active minds and to be self-critical!
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