2020 is an unprecedented year.
As a global community, we have experienced the largest crisis of our time, and it’s taken a toll. But, although we’ve yet to see an end in sight, there is a glimmer of hope, and there are many things you can do to reduce stress for yourself and your family. Meditation is one of these, and you can start today.
Why meditation?
Meditation, when combined with online yoga classes, is a powerful tool. Not only does it give you permission to shut out the outside world, but this mental exercise also allows you to get in touch with your feelings on a deep level.
As it relates to the pandemic, taking a pause each day to meditate can help you understand why you feel stressed. You may discover, for example, that you are not truly upset that your children are suddenly out of school again, but that you feel unprepared to handle their educational needs at home. Once you know what’s actually causing your anxiety, you can take steps to change your situation.
Getting started
Getting started with yoga and meditation begins with clearing out a place in your home where you can truly relax your mind and body. With all of the negativity swirling around, it makes sense to purge this from your house. This can be done by doing things like smudging, clearing clutter, and deep cleaning.
While you do not need to dedicate an entire room to your meditation practice, you do need it organized and outfitted with intent. Find a space where you feel at ease. Austin Real Estate recommends keeping your meditation zone away from where you work. Paint this area a soothing color, add an altar, and leave room for a floor mat or pillow.
Once your meditation area is ready, invest in some comfortable clothing and spend some time getting to know your new relaxation location. Doing this before you start meditating will help you overlook the newness so that you can prioritize the task at hand.
Guided meditation and mindfulness activities
When you’re first starting out, guided meditation makes sense. You can find meditation recordings online for everything from restoring your energy to getting a good night’s sleep.
If you’ve never meditated before, make sure that you are in your quiet place and seated in a comfortable position. Focus on inhaling and exhaling each breath. Let distractions pass through your brain without trying to focus too much attention on any one thing. Make sure to close your eyes and relax your body while you sit upright.
Mindfulness and meditation can be a powerful tool for children as well. It’s easy to forget that they are also suffering the effects of the pandemic. A few mindful activities you can do include going on a backyard safari to find specific creatures and watching glitter settle in a water-filled mason jar.
By introducing kids to a meditative state, you will empower them to recognize their own feelings when it matters most. This will help them feel more in control in a world that feels as though it’s spiraling out of control most of the time these days.
The pandemic caught all of us off guard. And, more than half a year into it, we are all still walking on eggshells. You can lessen the number of proverbial jabs that you endure by taking control of how you feel using mindfulness and meditation. The above info can help you get started but, remember, consistency is key. You cannot simply meditate once – it takes practice to quiet your mind and get through the worst days.
Would you like to explore a meditation? Grab your FREE meditation and try it out. I would love to hear from you how it goes.
Vikara Yoga offers online, in-person, and semi-private classes. Reach out for a personal consultation and get ready to enjoy all the benefits of yoga and meditation for self-transformation.
This post has been written by fellow yogi April Meyers. To learn more about April check out her WEBSITE
