We are living through an era of unprecedented global change. Within the course of a few short weeks our lives have been abruptly and significantly altered – many of us are struggling. Collectively, to varying degrees, we are grappling with emotional, physical, and financial stressors. Uncertainty abounds, and we as humans tend to be generally ill-at-ease with the unknown. So how do we cope? How do we navigate these intense emotions?
Meditation can serve as a way to reduce anxiety and keep us grounded. The practice of mediation can ease overwhelming feelings, it can also improve sleep and help to maintain a sense of balance during this time of instability. Developing a meditation practice may not come easily at first. When you attempt to focus anxious thoughts may creep into your mind, when that happens acknowledge those thoughts, gently push them aside and return to your breathing. Don’t give up, like anything else, practice leads to improvement.
Meditation doesn’t have to be done in solitude, there are many benefits to engaging in this practice with your family, or your children, who may also be experiencing feelings of anxiousness and uncertainty. Bedtime is an especially advantageous time to engage in meditation with your children as it helps them end the day with a sense of peace.
There are so many ways to engage in the practice of meditation. At SHG we have purchased our team a one-year subscription to Calm as we believe that prioritizing self-care is so very important as we navigate this crisis. Below we have provided some resources to get you started with your own practice. We hope that they help you #staywell and #staycalm.
Resources:
Introduction to Seated Mindfulness Meditation
