Everyone can be adversely affected by stress at some point.. There are anxieties due to health concerns, financial worries from job losses, and the emotional toll of the absence of social interactions with loved ones, for example. To keep this stress from overwhelming you, take steps to find healthy ways to cope with it.
Meditation is an excellent method to try as it is easy to get started and doesn’t cost anything to begin. Here, Lollywise Coaching explains your first steps.
Meditation trains your mind to shut out the noise around you and quietly focus on one thing, such as your breathing. It has increased in popularity as more people discover its positive effects on creating the relaxation response. Several studies indicate that meditation is an effective stress reduction treatment for adults suffering from anxiety, making it an effective antidote to uncertainty. Healthline notes other health benefits of meditation include:
Meditation works best when you create a healthy home environment that is positive, tidy, clean and free of distracting visual clutter. This helps your mind relax and focus on your meditation practice. Once you have a space, practicing meditation for up to 30 minutes a day is a great way to maintain positivity in your life. Creating a dedicated space in your home to meditate will increase your practice’s effectiveness as your body and mind associates the area with relaxation.
You can repurpose an unused room, a corner, or a closet as your meditation space. Ideally, this area should be in a quiet location of your home that gets natural light and allows you to let in some fresh air. Add some comfortable seating decorated in soothing colors. Consider adding aromatherapy with a meditation candle or diffuser with oils, and include soothing sounds from a Zen bell, nature sounds recording or relaxing instrumental music.
If you’re an outdoors lover, move your practice outside to one of your favorite locations. The warm feeling of sunlight on your skin combined with the scents and sounds of nature will relax you as you meditate. You might even want to add yoga to your program. There are easy ways to do so, and you boost your benefits with things like more flexibility and increased strength—both physically and mentally.
There are two common meditation methods available for you to try. With concentration meditation, you focus your eyes and mind on one single point, such as a candle flame or flower, or a sound, such as a repeating bell. If you notice your mind starting to wander (a common occurrence for everyone), let the thoughts go and return your focus to your chosen object.
Mindfulness meditation encourages you to observe your surroundings and what you are doing. It is often described as “being present in the moment” by giving 100% of your focus to your environment and your body’s response to it. You allow your mind to observe and acknowledge any thoughts that enter your head without judging them.
Brewing and drinking tea is an ancient tradition with numerous health benefits. In addition to being a delicious and refreshing beverage, tea can also help to promote relaxation and well-being. One of the best ways to enjoy tea is to meditate with it. This can be done simply by sitting down with a cup of tea and letting the mind focus on the act of drinking. Pay attention to the taste, smell, and feel of the tea as you drink it. Let all other thoughts and distractions fall away. As you focus on the present moment, you may find yourself feeling more calm and centered.
If you’re ready to give meditation a try, begin with this simple meditation Gaiam recommends. Devote a few minutes to your practice at first, and increase the duration over time.
Meditation is a healthy way to manage your anxieties. Creating a soothing space in your home for a daily meditation practice will help you melt your stress away and give you a renewed focus on those things you can control.
If you are feeling overwhelmed and stressed, remember that you don’t have to face these challenges alone. Lollywise is here to support you, book a free 1:1 today and we guarantee you will leave with more clarity and a strategy for leading a more joyful life.
