With all of our notifications, the noise of big cities, and the stresses of our responsibilities, it can be hard to find time for quiet in our daily lives—even though it is so beneficial and so necessary. Fortunately, there are ways to find quiet, even in the most chaotic places and at the craziest times. Here’s Day 6 of our 12 Days of Disconnection.
Try Meditating
Meditation is a great practice that can help you to slow down, be more mindful, and to have more control over your thoughts. Especially during the holiday season, when there are so many people to meet and parties to go to, it can be especially difficult to carve out what free time you have to do nothing. Of course, the fact is that these times are when these kinds of daily grounding rituals are so important.
While meditating may seem intimidating, there are plenty of resources out there to help you get started. Apps like Calm or HeadSpace offer guided meditations to help you direct your thoughts as you sit down and try to focus on your breathing. There are lots of different meditations to help you with things like anxiety or poor concentration, so you’re sure to find something that you like, and that makes a difference for you—if you do it consistently.
There are also themed meditations—with a focus on things like gratitude, confidence, and joy—that can help you to cultivate more of these themes into your daily life.
Without an app, all you need to meditate is space and time. Pick a comfy spot, sit or lie down, and close your eyes. Try to focus your attention on your breath, and how your body moves as you breathe in and out. If your thoughts stray from your breath or the physical sensations in your body, gently refocus your attention with self-compassion.
The most important thing isn’t how long you meditate, but that you sit down and you try to focus on your breathing or a mantra for even five minutes. You’ll find that it gets easier the more you meditate and that this might end up being one of the best moments of your day.
Want to try meditating in nature? Maybe it’s time to book a Getaway.