Does your busy schedule include time to relax and recharge? For energy and productivity? Safety and sanity? How about for longevity?
Or time to spend a few minutes, just being present in the moment…
Okay, before you answer, take a deep breath in… Hold for 3 seconds.
Now let it out. Ohhhmmmm……
Back to my question. I’m guessing that finding time to relax and recharge may not be a priority in your busy schedule. And that’s why we are going to explore this important topic this week.
So we’ve recently covered why sleep is important to our overall health and wellness. And what happens when we don’t get enough.
This week we’ll take a peek inside our own mind.
Life moves quickly, and it can be stressful at times. That’s why it’s vital to create the space for downtime, by finding new ways to relax and recharge.
Stress isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But it can become unhealthy if we let it get the best of us for too long. Or if we don’t find a way to deal with it. (Hint: getting regular exercise and adequate sleep helps.)
Depending on the type of stress you’re dealing with, you can find relief in a number of ways. You could for example:
- Go for a walk or a run.
- Exercise.
- Read a book.
- Listen to music.
- Take a vacation.
- Find a hobby.
Notice that punching the wall wasn’t one of the options. And checking email or Facebook didn’t make my list. That just adds to your stress, and serves as a mind-numbing, time-sucking distraction. When you could’ve been doing something healthy and productive for yourself.
But hey, if checking Facebook or other social sites helps you find peace, then who am I to say it’s a bad thing. Just keep an eye on the time you spend focusing on others, which is time that you’re depriving YOU from working on YOURSELF.
You know what the flight attendants say in the safety demonstration before taking off, right?
About putting your mask on FIRST. (Click here to be sure).
Well it’s true! If you don’t put your mask on first, how can you take care of anyone else?
Are you saying, “Yea, I know all that stuff” and mentally moving on? ‘Cause you’re busy, or just got distracted by something else?
Well this is where I get pissed and say, “Okay, stop for a minute! The mask is a metaphor for your body. When are you going to get the hint, and start taking better care of yourself?”
So you can take care of your (family, employees, pet, whoever). And yes, so you can continue taking care of yourself too.
Deep breath in… Let it out. Ohhhmmmm………
We okay? Great! But I am serious about what I just said!
Alright, if you’re still with me, let’s move on.
Today I’d like to help you discover another way to relax and recharge. For short and long-term gain.
How?
Through meditation.
I find that meditation is somewhat of an abstract, elusive “thing”. Meaning that I don’t always feel an immediate result. Some days it may not feel like I’m doing it right. Or it could feel great one day, and I might struggle the next day with calming my thoughts or focusing.
But overall, I find it very relaxing and helpful. My favorite time to meditate is right after a great workout. My mind seems to be in the perfect state to relax. All it takes is 10 to 15 minutes and I feel like a new person. Rejuvenated and ready to deal with just about anything.
If you’ve never tried it before, I’d like to help you learn more about it. And hopefully influence you enough to give it a try. Or if you’ve tried it in the past but it’s been a while, get you to give it another chance.
And if you meditate actively, I’d love to hear about it. We can all learn from each other, so leave a comment below.
I’d consider myself a novice when it comes to meditation. I still have so much to learn, but will give you some of the methods I have found beneficial with the hope that it will spark something for you.
And it doesn’t have to be a rigid ritual that requires formal training. I’ve never been formally trained in this area. I’ve only read a few books over the years, which is why I feel I have a lot to learn.
At this time in my life I prefer guided meditations. There are countless smartphone apps and websites that offer “free” guided versions. So all you need is your smartphone, a pair of headphones, and a comfortable, distraction-free place to sit where you have privacy. By the way, your car can be that place.
I would suggest that you Google “guided meditations”. Or search for the same phrase in the App Store or Google Play Store. Listen to or preview a few until you find something that resonates with you based on the person’s voice, background music, duration, and the type of content.
In addition to meditation, I learned about the power of solitude over 30 years ago, which could also be considered a form of meditation. This is where you sit still, in silence, distraction free for 15 to 20 minutes, with your eyes closed, without moving. And these days, you need to put your phone in airplane mode.
If you’ve never tried this, you may find it extremely difficult the first few times. But it’s a great way to calm your mind and observe your thoughts. As you begin to relax, focus on your breathing or the ambient noise (which shouldn’t include the TV, radio, etc.).
It’s incredible the number of thoughts that appear when you slow down and observe. I challenge you to give it a try. Whether it’s to calm your thoughts. To plan your day. Or to find a solution to a challenging problem. The key is to try to remain uninterrupted so you can relax.
Here are a few resources
…that may help you discover the benefits of meditation.
- WebMD article: http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/meditation-natural-remedy-for-insomnia
- Huff Post article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/15/meditation-in-action-mindfulness-sleep_n_3586716.html
- The Honest Guys website for free guided meditations: http://thehonestguys.co.uk/meditations.html
- Mindful Muscle: http://www.mindfulmuscle.com
My goal here is to get you to slow down. To think and reflect. Without distraction. Focusing on the present. Breathing deep, and letting it out slowly. You can enhance the experience by feeling the emotion of gratitude for all that you have in your life. And for this opportunity to take a few minutes for yourself.
Beautiful…
Now, it’s time to get back to reality. Keep drinking plenty of water, make time for exercise, find a way to get 7 to 8 hours of quality sleep every night, and discover the joys of meditation.
By the way, March 17th is World Sleep Day. It’s intended to raise awareness of sleep disorders and the burden they place on society.
Thank you for sharing your time with me. I hope you found value.
Now it’s time for YOU to take action…
What’s your Win to be Thin? Leave a comment below.
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