Stress Relief

There are many tools to help deal with stress, and one of them is meditation. A lot of people inwardly groan when told to meditate. I know I do, but it is nonetheless an effective tool and a lovely, gentle way to care for yourself.  One of the toughest things to do when stressed is to sit still in the quiet and be alone with yourself.

A stressful mind often is racing like a hamster on a hamster wheel, and the body is agitated or overly tired.  At least, that’s what I experience. So to sit still and not think seems impossible! I’m here to tell you, and to remind myself, that it isn’t.  Meditation doesn’t have to be done for a long time, you can start with 5 minutes, and it doesn’t have to be hard, keep it simple. What it can do for you is give you a sense of peace, calm, and balance which in turn adds to your overall health and wellness. The best part is you can meditate anywhere.

I find the easiest way to start a meditation practice is to focus on an object. To begin with, find a comfortable position in a quiet room or place. Focus on an object of your choice and let yourself breathe naturally. As you quiet your mind to only focus on the object, thoughts and feelings may still come up for you. Simply notice them and let them go, and refocus. Don’t beat yourself up for having thoughts come into your meditation. That is what the brain does.  We are just teaching the brain a new way to operate for a period of time. Again, start simple and for just a few minutes at a time and work your way up to longer periods. It won’t take long to feel the benefits!

Wishing you a wonderful day,

Liv Fagerholm

Creation Associate at Maria’s Place