Just Relax

Just Relax!

Easier said than done, right? How many times have you sat in your most comfortable chair in your own home, trying to close your eyes and escape for a few moments, only to find your mind wander to a bill or a chore that needs taking care of, to a worry, to have your thoughts be interrupted by a passing family member or you just can’t quite

get to the place of quiet –so you give up?

Meditation takes practice. It does not come easily to everyone. And even for those that it does come easily to, there are still those distractions that can put on hold anyone’s practice.

Meditation can mean lots of different things to different people. For some, they turn to meditation as just a moment of sanity in a crazy, busy day. For others, it is practiced on as part of their daily routine as a way of centering themselves to begin or end their day. For others still, it takes on a greater meaning. Some need meditation as a means to be able to deal with an illness or a worrisome situation. Some use meditation to bring the

mind to some place other than the pain filled one they are in now, whether the pain is physical or mental. No matter what reason we turn to meditation, no matter what type we use, it is an escape. It just comes in many different forms for many different reasons.

In my experience, both personal and professional, I have found that guided meditation is the simplest way to train the mind into practicing meditation on a regular basis. Guided meditation is an instruction to the mind to focus on a particular thing or place rather than instructing the mind to quiet itself, free of thoughts and worries. Guided

meditation is easiest if you have someone lead you through it, at least until you get the hang of it yourself. The mind quiets itself while focusing on that one scene or thought and before you know it, the body relaxes. The breath slows down and deepens further oxygenating the entire body, revitalizing it at the same time. The lungs expand

fully – something we often don’t do over the course of the day – especially when stressed or nervous. The heart rate slows down. And the blood pressure comes down. It is an amazing thing what a little relaxation does for our

body and mind.

An example of one of the most popular guided meditations I will use for my students, is to picture themselves on a beach as everyone has been to a beach and has an easy time seeing themselves in that setting. From there we go on

to see, feel, and hear our surroundings. Another example is to take a walk through a downtown or city. Again, easy to picture yourself there and it is something we do often. The sounds of the city can help to lull anyone! Another example is to take a walk through the woods. We have all done it, it’s easy to picture ourselves there. And there are so many things for us to focus on. And when you have someone that will guide you through each of those scenarios, you have less opportunity to lose focus or to let your mind wander.

While the idea of each of those scenarios is the same, no two pictures will be alike. Your guided meditation is about you. What you see, hear, feel, and need.

Once you become accustomed to using guided meditation, it becomes easy to bring those meditations into your daily routine, where and when you like. Even for a just few moments now and again, each little bit of relaxation can benefit the mind, body and soul for a long time. Learning those tools you need to relax you, will last a lifetime.