Meditation is something I always find myself crawling back to when my anxiety starts to take over my life. It's one of the hardest things to do but is one of the most effective and rewarding ways to combat stress and anxiety.
It's not all om's, incense and chimey things, these days there are a bucket load of apps and websites to help you find your inner peace. Meditation is a very personal thing, some techniques work better for others and it really is about trial and error. For example, I cannot meditate to the sound of harsh instruments like pianos or the sound of singing. I'm more of a natural sound meditator with a dash of slowly building string instruments.
That's one of the best things about apps like Calm, it gives you a catalogue of different soundtracks to pick from, so if one isn't working you can move onto the next and see if that does the trick. The hardest part of mediation is clearing your mind of all thoughts, I still haven't mastered this bit as my brain will try it's damn hardest to think of the most random things.
I like to think of practicing meditation in a more scientific way, I think of my brain as a muscle (even though it's not) when you want a muscle to be stronger and do better at a certain activity you have to train it, which takes practice. Quieting your mind works in the same way, you have to practice and practice shutting up that voice in your head and eventually you can do it with ease.
It takes a while for the effects of meditation to kick in, if you do it twice a day like I'm currently doing, it will take about a week to really feel a big difference. Depending on how much time I have in the mornings and the evenings I will meditate for between 10-30 minutes per session. Whenever I get asked how to manage my anxiety I always recommend meditation, most people will roll their eyes and put it down to hippy dippy stuff but it's a very portable and diverse skill to have. You can use meditation to calm yourself down in certain situations e.g. on public transport or before a big interview, it's such a great skill to have if you do have anxiety.
Even if you don't suffer with anxiety and you just want a bit of 'me' time, check out Calm, you can use it either on their website or download their app. If that doesn't float your boat, try sitting somewhere quiet and focus on the sounds around you. It's all trial and error so don't give up after your first try.
I love Calm, as well as Headspace :) I've found with meditation (personally, not saying it works for everyone) that it's less about clearing the mind and more about focusing on your body, so becoming aware of where you arms fall etc, and concentrating on being able to feel where they are. Headspace talks a lot about the importance of feeling present, rather than worrying about the past or future x
ReplyDeleteMegan / pixiecrop.com
I haven't checked out headspace I'll have to have a look. When I'm trying to fall asleep or start my day, concentrating on my body and being present usually works but in anxious situations I have to quieten the mind or it jut starts buzzing and going hell for leather :)
DeleteOff to check out calm! I used to mediate at least once a week a few years ago and just fell out of the habit. I used to stare at a candle and it did help, I think that's part of the reason I still find burning candles incredibly calming. I really do want to get back to it. I'm also practicing more mindfulness on a daily basis and find it great. Just to be aware of what you're doing and the experience that goes with it. It's actually powerful stuff! Great post :)
ReplyDeleteThat's whats great about meditation, there are so many different ways you can do it so if one way doesn't work then it's worth trying a different technique. I've tried so many but I find concentrating on noises easier then concentrating at a candle or one spot. Plus my eyes water like crazy haha
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