I do a lot of research on Mindfulness and Meditation, primarily because I have dealt with Depression and Anxiety before and Mindfulness and Meditation were suggested to me while I was in therapy, but also because you can get truly amazing results from practicing it.

When I first started to meditate, it felt strange, I didn’t really know if I was doing it right, I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it, how can this benefit me? Being the busy bee that I was, trapped into the worry cycle about everything, I couldn’t understand how taking a moment to breathe would help me.

But after a few tries, I was hooked! I became more involved in the process of calming my mind to control my anxiety and started feeling the benefits of it almost instantly.

What mindfulness does is create some space in your head so you can, “respond” rather than simply “react.” It creates a sense of calm and it’s exactly what I need to stay in tune with myself.

Now, I enjoy the moment of calmness and clarity, I practice it every day and can honestly say that learning this technique has changed my life.

It’s incredible!

I’m still learning more about the topic but I would like to share with you some of the basics of  Mindfulness and Meditation. I’m sharing my findings in hopes that you too will benefit from a calmer mind, reduce stress from the daily routine and live with greater ease.

What is Mindfulness?

 Mindfulness is the psychological process of bringing one’s attention to experiences occurring in the present moment while acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, bodily sensations and the surrounding environment.

Mindfulness is a way of meeting our experience with the presence of mind to respond skillfully to life’s challenges, rather than reacting based on intense emotions.

Mindfulness is simple, but not easy. It is a skill that we need to practice.  When we practice it, mindfulness allows us to live with a greater sense of calm, balance, and ease.

Source: Brilliant Mindfulness

How to practice Mindfulness Meditation?

Here an example described by Christine Hammond, MS, LMHC, of how you too can start practicing mindful meditation. She says:

I like to sit straight up on the park bench with both feet firmly touching the ground and my hands resting on my thighs. This open up your airways and helps you to feel solid, but still comfortable.

Then I find a single spot on the lake to focus my eyes and begin to breathe deeply in through my nose and out through my mouth, paying close attention to the breath as it fills and empties my lungs and stomach. Any random thoughts that pop up are briefly accepted and then immediately tossed aside.

Next, I ask myself, “What am I feeling right now?” Whatever the emotion rises to the surface (which is usually something like anger, guilt, anxiety, frustration, or annoyance), I acknowledge it by saying, “It’s ok to feel this way now, everyone feels this way. I don’t have to figure it out. I can accept that it is there.”

Gathering up all of this fully received emotion, I imagine it is a pebble, rock, or even boulder and picture throwing the stone into the lake. In my mind eye I watch the ripples created by the impact spread across the water, and then absorb into the lake and disappear. I usually repeat this exercise until the emotion I’m feeling is instead relief, joy, happiness, peace, or satisfaction.

To wrap up the little ritual I refocus my breath, say good-bye to the lake, and walk away.

This simple yet powerful practice creates a sense of calmness and clarity.

Guided Meditation

How does Guided Meditation Work?

Meditation is the simple way to reframe stress, bringing you calm and balance to your life.

With guided meditation, you don’t need to know how to meditate.

All that’s required is that you listen, and you’ll move effortlessly into the renewing waters of your subconscious mind.

The subconscious mind has control over the 37.2 trillion cells of your body, and also regulates and connects all 12 systems that keep you alive and functional, including the cardiovascular (heart), endocrine gland, respiratory, nervous, immune, circulatory, digestive, lymphatic (detoxing), musculoskeletal, reproductive and urinary systems.

That is truly impressive and should never be taken for granted.

• Alleviates anxiety, depression, and negative attitudes
• Reduces fatigue and exhaustion
• Puts you in touch with your confidence, joy, enthusiasm, and self- worth
• Improves brain function and actually lights up your mind
• Brings you back to being heart centered and lovable

These are just a few of the many powerful benefits of a 15 to 20 minutes of daily practice.

Guided Meditation and deep relaxation will help you to train your brain to slow down, enjoy life, and accept yourself.

So take back your power and get control over yourself and your life!

It is the most important investment you can make in yourself.

Read more here.

Are you ready to give it a try?

Sit comfortably with your feet on the ground and be open to an amazing experience that will leave you feeling calmer and ready to conquer the rest of the day!