BY IVET RAMIREZ
Stress and anxiety are real. They can show up in our lives at any given moment, and for many individuals, it can lead to life-long issues if not taken care of, like chronic stress or depression.
Luckily, there are many ways to de-stress that don’t require too much time out of you and can be done daily. Here are some simple forms of self-meditation that every person should try to incorporate in their self-care routine to remain in the present moment.
Journaling
Keeping a journal next to your bedside can be beneficial to you when you have too much going on in your mind and need some form of release. There’s just something about seeing thoughts written on paper that relaxes the mind and soul. We use our brains every day, so we think a lot.
We have the logical side of the brain and the more creative, emotional side. Sometimes when there’s too much going on in our lives it feels as if both of these sides collide with each other. It can cause many to feel overwhelmed, messy, and anxious.
Journaling can help put things into a more clear perspective and it can free your mind of entanglements, even if it’s just for a moment. It may feel like a mind cleanse, and it can even help when you’re having trouble making decisions.
Journaling is a form of self-meditation that can benefit almost everyone and it can be done at any time during the day or night. Definitely incorporate this simple type of medication onto your self-care routine and see the difference it makes!
Deep Breathing
You’ve heard of this one too many times. Does deep breathing really work the way people say it does? Yes! If you’re feeling stressed or anxious about something, simply take a step back for a few minutes and BREATHE. Inhaling a deep breath for about ten seconds and slowly exhaling for ten more seconds can make all the difference.
Deep breathing sends the brain a message to relax and calm down. You’re able to gain more self-control and tell yourself to come back to the present moment, and it helps you think more clearly so that you can map out a situation better. Doing this for a few minutes or for however long you need to is a good way to self-meditate and can be done anywhere and anytime!
There are different breathing exercises out there, but simple deep breathing is just as good to bring you calmness and reduce stress and anxiety in a given moment.
Yoga
Doing a few yoga exercises in the morning can make all the difference in your day. Simply stretching while focusing on your breathing can improve your energy throughout the day. This type of self-meditation can truly benefit your mental health because it’s able to bring clarity and a sense of peace to your mind. By incorporating a few simple yoga exercises or stretches in your self-care routine, you can reduce stress and lower blood pressure.
You don’t have to be a professional at yoga either. Simply search for YouTube yoga exercises for beginners and you will find some easy ones to incorporate throughout your day. If you’re the type of person that sits at a desk all day (especially with COVID-19 keeping most things virtual), take some breaks to do yoga exercises and you’ll see a difference in your focus when you get back to your work.
There’s a self-meditation form out there for each person, and these were just a few simple ones to get started with! Learn more about the five types of self-care there are here. Self-meditation is an excellent tool for mental health and stability, especially when you are often dealing with stressful situations.
The mind and body go hand-in-hand together, so if you’re feeling stressed out often then it’s likely you’ll see the effects of it in your physical health. Don’t ignore your mind when it’s telling you it needs a break! Try any of these simple forms of self-meditation out and see which ones resonate more with your self-care routine. Take control of the present moment!