It slows down the hamster wheel
Meditation slows down the hamster wheel– Once my phone became my alarm clock, it became harder and harder to not check emails, texts, or social media as soon as my eyes opened in the morning.
When my phone sets the emotional tone of my morning, I start to feel like the world is moving faster than I am, which means I have to rush out of bed to catch up with everyone else.
Before I know it I’m drinking too much coffee, have forgotten to drink water, and have the wide-eyed sweaty-faced look of panic in my eyes as I rush through the day, run late to most of my appointments, and feel exhausted before dinner time.
Enter meditation > Starting my day with a light meditation helps me become centered in myself. I feel more at peace and the day moves at a slower pace, giving me more time to focus on what fills me up instead of what fuels my anxiety.
It helps me shift from one task to another
Meditation helps me shift from one task to another – A typical work day for me is broken up into a handful of tasks – client sessions, marketing work, answering emails, creative projects, time with family & friends, etc.
Each requires a different amount of energy and type of focus. If I’ve finished my 4th client session for the day and know I need to set up for a podcast interview, adding a quick 5-10 minute meditation in between can help me slow down my therapy brain and tap into the tone and tempo I like to bring to my podcast Don’t Cut Your Own Bangs.
If I don’t give myself space in my calendar to breathe, I can feel rushed, jumpy, and have a hard time focusing.
Enter meditation > Taking a few deep breaths before I leave my office and head home helps me close out the business part of my day, opening up more mental space to be present for quality time with friends or enjoying some downtime.
It prepares me for sleep
Meditation prepares me for sleep – Some people are blessed with the ability to pass out when the lights go out. Unfortunately that is NOT the case for me. I’m slow to rise and need time to wind down at the end of the day.
Sometimes my nightly routine involves a face mask, a good book, maybe even some TV before sleep. But when my mind is going a mile minute, I can find myself so deep in my imagination – role playing a conversation I’m anxious about having, reminiscing about something that happened the day before, thinking about something I have to do the next day – the next thing I know, hours have gone by and I’m still tossing and turning.
Enter meditation > Meditating before sleep feels like I’m bringing my mind back from the abyss and into my body. I feel the coolness of the sheets, hear the gentle hum of the ceiling fan, and the softness of my pillow. In a few short breaths, it’s lights out and I’m off to dreamland.
Give it a try!
Meditation can be as long as a 7 day silent retreat or as short as a single breath. Look for a place where you’d like to create more space in your day, and make room for mediation.
PS ~ the place where we feel the busiest or most tense, is where we likely need it most.
