When the S#%t People Say YouTube videos were getting big, your favourite was S#%t Yogis Say. Not because you’re a yogi, but rather because you’ve met one, and that is so not you.
You do not appreciate being told about your aura, or being asked to chant Om. And the smell of incense does not bring you to a good place.
You may be assuming that meditation is not for you, either. However, it is.
Meditation is not just for those who refer to their gurus and rarely wear shoes. It’s a way of rewiring the brain. And, calming your mind is a mainstream idea.
Whether you want to rewire your brain to retain your focus at work or just to feel the positivity you had in your younger days is up to you. Meditation does not have to be a huge time commitment.
In terms of the relaxation response, your brain is not as clever as you may think it is. It’s not able to differentiate between an experience and a thought in terms of our blood pressure, our mental state and even our respiratory rate.
When you’re feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list, or even dragged down by a recent emotional experience, pause. No need for a meditation cushion – just sit.
Take a few deep breaths and then visualize a place where you’ve been easily relaxed. This may be a beach you’ve visited. This may be in bed on a Sunday morning with the paper. This may be fishing at the cottage.
Your brain may fight you with this image and storm in with statements like, “I have something better to do!” Bring yourself back, again and again.
Visualize yourself in that scene, serenely sitting. And even if you give yourself just two minutes with your mental picture, it’s guaranteed that within that time, your blood pressure will have lowered and you’ll return to your life with more focus and more ability to handle life’s curveballs.
Hairy armpits optional.
