One of the newest things I'm doing is taking my lunch outside of the break room. What a great change :)
What’s going on my friends?
How have you been?
What’s been new for you this 2017?
My year has been one of change and transition.
The largest change in my life, has been in my commitment to physical and mental recovery. We are led to believe that stopping for a moment to yourself, causes a loss of productivity...and is a waste of time.
I challenge you... to get real with yourself... today.
Time is a gift we give to our self, in the face of a world that wants to consume it.
A loss of worldly productivity leads to our personal freedom.
This uninterrupted (quiet and private) waste of time... is our path to inner peace.
How do you really feel today?
What’s going on with you today?
Do you feel rested?
Does your mind feel at peace?
Do you have enough time to yourself?
Over the next few weeks, I’ll begin sharing more about what I have been learning (about mental and physical recovery) over the past year... since I injured my back.
When my coach told me to stop lifting for a time, he asked me to first replace it with meditation… every single day...morning and evening. His recommendation was based on my honesty with him, that I had been using weightlifting to run from pain and anxiety...and that I couldn’t manage the tornado in my head.
To be honest with you, his recommendation was a struggle for months.
Taking the time.
Focusing on my breath.
Shutting everything and everyone else off.
Increasing the minutes of my practice.
Giving myself grace when I could only manage to reach that quiet space for a couple minutes.
But now today, I can stand here and tell you...it has become a regular part of my day…
every
single
day.
every
single
day.
So what has changed in me since I began meditating 10 months ago?
The tornado in my mind has lost some of its power to frighten me into the downward spiral... into darkness and isolation.
Once I learned, that I can instantly step into the eye of the most outrageous storm (by placing my focus on sensation the air coming in and out of my body) my anxiety about my anxiety has ceased.
I know that I can come out of the fearful place, whenever I chose to give myself the grace, time, & deep breaths.
I can sit with fear and look at its face.
I can step into the battle of my mind with this knowing that I can find peace...even if it’s just for a few minutes at a time.
I’ve developed the ability to recognize who or what is triggering the tornado. I’ve taken measures to avoid or manage those people and environments. Many times the tornado comes as the extra “work” I think I need to be doing, in order to be “enough” in this world.
I’ve exchanged my “go hard” attitude to survive stressful times, for a commitment to self care and restoration of my mind and body.
Does this mental tornado or downward spiral description resonate with you?
Does this sound like a friend's description of symptoms they’ve shared with you?
If so, I’d like to share 3 resources with you ,that I use on a daily basis.
The first is Insight Timer. It is the free meditation app I have been using since last fall. Each morning I listen to a guided meditation series. There are nearly 6,000 to choose from. Pick one that feels right to you. You can also use the timer feature for self-led meditations. There are various calming background noises you can select if desired, as well as a variety of completion bells.
The 2nd is the “Relax” feature of your FitBit. A couple times a work day, I step away to take 2 minutes to just breathe. I always notice my heart rate drop noticeably, as well as becoming more focused as I return and engage with my clients.
The last resource is this Mai Trainer Meditation Guide.
This guide teaches you a very simple method for meditation anywhere…
no equipment required. :)
My favorite place is in the sun by the pool.
The 2nd is the “Relax” feature of your FitBit. A couple times a work day, I step away to take 2 minutes to just breathe. I always notice my heart rate drop noticeably, as well as becoming more focused as I return and engage with my clients.
The last resource is this Mai Trainer Meditation Guide.
This guide teaches you a very simple method for meditation anywhere…
no equipment required. :)
My favorite place is in the sun by the pool.
I hope these suggestions help you. Share this article if so :)
Let me know what you think in the comments below!
I'll be back soon with new physical and mental health recovery resources!
Let me know what you think in the comments below!
I'll be back soon with new physical and mental health recovery resources!
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