You've had it up to here (insert shoulders here). You're stressed over money, pressed the Snooze button way too many times this a.m. and your hair is so fried that even a dozen oil treatments couldn't bring it back to life. Sometimes, life is a b---- .
With distractions in abundance, it's never been easier to lose yourself in the percolation of work, friends, family, and just life in general. There's this thing to do and this person to talk to and that place to be at this exact time and blah, blah, blah.
What's not easy, it seems, is securing that much-needed alone time to calm your mind, relax your body, and generate a sense of renewal. But, rest assured, (no, literally sit down for once and rest!), there are quick and very accessible ways of re-synchronizing that frazzled body and mind connection.
To ease your mind, HBD has put together a few mini-meditations for the girl on-the-go who needs peace and needs it quick. Besides, yoga can get pricey.
The Art of Stillness: Mini Meditations
The Proverbial Pause Button
What It's Good For: The perfect meditation when on the go. It only takes a few moments of your time and as you practice, it will probably take even fewer.
The Process: This mini-meditation deals with mindfulness while in motion. Hitting the pause button means temporarily shutting out (and off) the world around you (your cell phone, computer, car radio, tv, etc) and allowing yourself a precious moment to consider where you are in that moment. During this paused state of mind, you should focus on building awareness through each of your senses: close your eyes, listen to the ambient sounds around you, feel what you are in contact with in that instant (the temperature, an article of clothing or an accessory) and empower yourself by recognizing something to be thankful for. Believe it or not, this event starts to work in rush-hour traffic once you get the hang of it.
Personal Parthenon
What It's Good For: This mini-meditation is a versatile one. It can be used in all type of situations, quiet, hectic or otherwise.
The Process: Whether we live in the city, the burbs or out in the country, routine is a fact of life. And with routine, we sometimes lose our sense of imagination. This visualization-based meditation encourages using one's imaginative powers to create a kind of personalized inner utopia. The idea is to visualize a refuge in your mind where all you see, feel, listen, touch and taste is exactly to your liking. It's about designing an experience inside of you that makes you feel happy and affords you the opportunity to relax on your own terms.
Upright Keeps the Wrong Down
What It's Good For: Standing meditation requires a bit more seclusion and slightly more time. Find a comfortable and peaceful location, whether indoors or out, and give yourself at least five minutes.
The Process: This mindfulness exercise encompasses both mind and body techniques. Situate yourself in a place where you won't be interrupted. Now, stand with your legs shoulder length apart and bend your knees slightly. Let your shoulders drop and position your head so that it's resting on the top of your spine. You want your back to feel relaxed. Raise your hands in front of you at about waist level, spread your fingers apart and have the tips of them point toward one another. Once you've positioned yourself comfortably, focus your mind on the immediacy of how your body feels, starting with your feet on the floor and moving your way up through your legs, back, neck and head. The essence of standing meditation is learning how to experience the flow of energy through your body. Might sound high minded, but, hey, that's kind of the point.
The next time you're feeling all bitched out, simply close your eyes, take a deep breath and transcend, my friend.
At least until the light turns green and the guy in the car behind you starts honking like a madman.
Authored by Etan Marciano for Healthy b---- Daily.
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