#TACTIX :: Managing Stress through Meditation.
Feeling Overwhelmed? Try Meditation to Reduce Stress
Let’s state the obvious: We live in a stressful world. Trying to manage everyday tasks with your work, family, relationship, and even online environments can take a toll on one’s mental and physical health. Sometimes, we just need a moment to relax and breathe. That’s where managing stress through meditation comes in – and yes – you have time for it.
Carve out a few minutes for you with meditation.
You need some “you” time. Engaging in some simple meditation techniques a few minutes each day can help with that. Meditation helps you clear your mind and achieve greater focus. It can also be beneficial to your health by slowing down your body, breathing better, and reducing stress.
So, how will you be managing stress through meditation? First, set up some time for you. Start early by making mediation part of your morning routine. Or try to find a good quiet place and time during the day. Find a comfortable position to sit. The ideal meditating position for most people is sitting in a chair or on a sofa or couch, arms and legs uncrossed, feet flat on the floor. Make sure you have some support on your back to keep yourself elevated. Then, focus on your breathing. Take deep, even-paced breathing using the diaphragm muscle to expand your lungs.
A “clear” mind is not necessary.
Let thoughts pass through your mind without judgment. You may feel your anxiety or emotions stronger at this time. The key is to just acknowledge them, don’t try to bury your feelings during meditation. Scan your body – be aware of pain, tension, warmth, or relaxation. Check-in with your breathing.
As you’re ready to end your meditation, congratulate yourself for taking this time to help heal yourself. Then gradually open your eyes and return to being present in the environment around you. Afterwards, do an internal check on how you’re doing. See if the meditation is working for you. If you establish a connection between your meditation practice and feeling better, the more you’ll be committed to continue.
There’s an app for that.
Of course, there would be apps to help guide you through the practice of mediation. Most feature calming voices and music to help you learn and master various meditation skills like focused deep breathing, mental clarity, and being present. They do this by offering various tech tools like mood trackers, expert-guided meditations, meditation timers, and a community of fellow meditators. Each have their own benefits. You can find free or paid meditation apps on both the Play and Apple stores. Some of the most popular are:
Calm
Insight Timer
Headspace: Meditation & Sleep
Ten Percent Happier Meditation
Buddhify
Unplug
Simple Habit
Breathe easy.
Experiment find out what types of meditation work best for you and what you enjoy doing. Adapt meditation to your needs at the moment. Remember, there’s no right way or wrong way to meditate. What matters is that meditation helps you reduce your stress and feel better overall.