“How are you today?”
“Really Busy!”
You've probably had a similar exchange of words recently- one person responding to the other in breathless, tight voice. When did "busy" become not only a badge of honor and success, but a way to measure our feelings?
Life’s stressors can contribute to feeling overwhelmed, scattered and eventually depleted. We know we need to take time for self care - but when, and how? It’s a challenge to slow down, pause, become aware and present. There are so many ways to distract ourselves and push it off until another day.
Enter mindfulness and meditation - with benefits that are scientifically proven and include reduced stress and inflammation, improved focus, happiness, slower brain aging and a myriad of other health benefits.
Not sure where to start? Read on and see how uncomplicated meditation can be!
Just 3 Minutes / 4 Easy Steps
1. Start Small
When building a new habit, establish a series of small, achievable goals. For example, your goal could be to meditate for 3 min. a day, 2 days a week. After a few weeks, maybe increase to 5 min. a day, 3 days a week. Whatever feels right. Consistently achieving early goals feels great and propels you forward.
2. Make an Appointment with Yourself
Make meditation a healthy new habit by creating an appointment with yourself. Schedule it into your day. Yep, I literally mean create a calendar appointment, just as you would with your boss. Pre-scheduling time for meditation removes the decision making process of how and where to fit it in.
3. Make it Cozy
Make your meditation space as inviting as possible. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, or a permanent fixture in your home, apartment, dorm, closet, whatever! Think about what makes you feel peaceful and relaxed and try adding that to your space. Maybe a few candles, our Sacred Space Room Spray or tranquil, calming background music. Have a soft blanket at the ready in case you get chilly.
4. Its only 3 Minutes
“…but I don’t know HOW to meditate.” is a common obstacle. Fear of ‘doing it wrong’ or having to learn specific techniques… but there really isn’t a right or wrong way. Guided meditation apps like Calm and Headspace are great ways to begin. Bonus: both apps offer a free 1-week trial period.
These 4 simple steps are a great way to begin eliminating stress and anxiety and bring about lasting change, calm and peace. Give yourself the gift of meditation! Try just 3 minutes today, see how you feel.
“You should sit in meditation for twenty minutes everyday - unless you're too busy; then you should sit for an hour.”
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