It’s surprising how just a moment of silence can take away all the mental chaos we deal with on a daily basis. Call it whatever you want: “meditation,” “mindfulness,” “peace,” etc. It sure makes a world of difference when you try it.
Some like to have this moment in the morning before they start the day. Others like to have it at the end of each day to unwind. Some like to sit with legs crossed on a pillow. Others prefer to lay down on a bed. But be aware, this is not about relaxing yourself to the point of sleepiness. It’s truly about breathing and serenity. It’s about accepting that things are the way they are, and accepting all the thoughts you have by allowing them to come and go freely. It’s NOT about rejecting, ignoring, or distracting from those thoughts or from reality.
Maybe you’re finishing up a mentally exhausting task at work and you need to decompress. Maybe you’ve had a long day and need to let it go on the drive home. Wherever you are, take a moment and just breathe in complete silence. Breathe in positive vibes, and breathe out stress and anxiety. Picture a serene image, like the sky, or the beach for example. And focus on that image. As the thoughts come in, let them pass through freely. Picture them floating by. If you need to put them on a cloud or a wave, do so and watch them float by. Don’t try to shut them out.
Another way you can do this, if you’re not much for picturing stuff, is by listening to your breath. Take note of the sound of your breath as you breathe in and exhale slowly. Notice the movement of your chest and tummy as you take in and release each breath. Do this for at least five minutes, and gradually increase the amount of time each time you do it.
Sometimes we become overstimulated by all the things going on around us (i.e. computers, phones, tablets, television, people moving around or talking) or just get tired from the events of the day. It’s important for our health and mental health if we take a moment of silence every now and then and just breathe.
Be mindful. Stay curious.