Meditation live and on demand
These are stressful times we are living in, and finding ways to manage your life and juggle all the balls you have in the air can be a real challenge. Physical health can only reach it’s optimum when our mental health is addressed and looked after.
Of course there are many things we can do for ourselves to look after our mental health; from ensuring you get enough sleep, the proper nutrition, managing healthy relationships and talking things through when you face struggles and issues. But in this modern life we are inundated with information constantly, and this can make overwhelm and chronic stress a real problem. Everywhere you go, chances you are near your mobile phone, instantly connected to a world of social media, news, and the answer (correct or not), to every question you could ever ask. The world we live in today means we are rarely ever still, and always doing something, whether it’s productive or just a distraction. We don’t have to wait for anything, but the price we pay is heavy.
But this world isn’t slowing down anytime soon, and we have to find ways that make it more manageable. Taking time in nature, away from technology, away from distractions is wonderful for the human spirit. Exercise is also crucial for your mental health; human beings are designed to move, and not just to keep ourselves fit and strong. Physical movement helps us to break out of fight or flight mode when we are stressed by providing the body a solution to the perceived “danger” that your brain thinks you’re in. When we feel anxious, it’s the same response in the brain to a situation that’s life threatening or something like fear of public speaking or wondering how you’re going to manage paying your next bill whilst looking after sick children and an ageing parent. The stress response is the same. Moving your body shows your brain your are taking action, and dealing with the “threat”.
You may have heard about mindfulness, or tried meditation yourself. Mindfulness simply means “to be in the present moment”. Not worrying about what’s in the past, or the future. It can be as simple as doing the washing up. Instead of thinking about the parking fine your have to pay, or what you said to someone yesterday that may have caused upset; you focus on exactly what’s happening in that moment. How the water feels, the movement of your hands, perhaps the music playing in the background if you have some on. This helps your connection to the present moment, and really, all we ever have is the present. We can’t change the past, or dictate the future. All we can do is make the best decisions we can in the now. The rest, is not ours to hold.
This is of course easier said than done in times of stress, and we are after all, human. Taking time to deliberately practice mindfulness, in a meditation class or session can be very useful, even if you don’t really feel like you’re getting much out of it. For the spring timetable this year I am teaching a 10 minute meditation live on Tuesdays at 5.20pm. These can be accessed live or on demand via the website. I also offer a membership for meditation sessions (links below) if you are interested in access to all meditation sessions. These sessions are guided vocally and include gentle relaxing music alongside visualisation, simple exercises and focuses such as body scans. The can be done in any position you’re comfortable in. You may even decide to listen before you go to sleep. The music often uses specific frequencies designed to help you relax. Vibrations of the music are scientifically proven to aid healing and health, both physical and mental.
Wishing you all good health and wellness this Spring!
