For many of us finding a quiet moment and stillness is surprisingly challenging. Why is this? I think it is partially because we don’t see it as achieving something and it gets buried in our list of priorities. I know this is true for me. I also know that when I take even just 5 minutes to sit quietly and focus on my breathing, it is transformative. As a busy Mom and business owner, I think of it as my oxygen mask, just like on a plane when the airline attendant reminds me to put on my oxygen mask before assisting my kids. This idea applies to our lives and all the other things we need our oxygen mask on for, like tackling the laundry, meeting a deadline at work, being an attentive friend, and getting a restful sleep at night.
Here are three tips that help me carve out time to meditate:
1. Sit comfortably. Don’t worry about looking like that graceful upright yogi you yearn to be. Embrace pillows and feeling good in your body.
2. Focus on breathing. Start by counting slowing in your mind, three counts in and three counts out. Build up to six or higher.
3. Thoughts will pop into your mind. Some people call this “monkey brain.” Just observe the thoughts versus beating yourself up about them. To illustrate what I mean, here’s a real example of what went through my head during a recent go at this:
Sadie’s monkey brain while sitting still:
“Emily (from Bachelorette) is so charming. I love that she loves Dolly Parton just like me. SADIE! You are so surface. Stop thinking about reality TV and get serious about this. Breathe!”
Here’s another way I could have pulled myself back in by simply observing versus judging:
“I’m thinking about Emily and Dolly. Inhale, one, two, three, four, five, six….”
It works – try it! I’d love to hear from you on this subject. Do you meditate?
