Dial it back and enjoy life more
As much as daily physical activity enhances our wellbeing in very tangible ways, so too can its polar opposite, inactivity – if we do it purposefully.
When we intentionally dial back our pace on a regular basis, the quality of life can improve immeasurably.
One of the best ways to accomplish this, of course, is through meditation which has us focusing on our breath and directing our awareness to the present moment. For those of us who spend most of our day either anticipating tomorrow, or looking back and replaying yesterday, meditation offers a refreshing alternative.
Unfortunately, many people who try meditation find it fails to make them feel better in ways similar to physical activity.
Whereas the benefits of healthy movement (exercise) tend to kick-in while we’re engaged in the activity (or shortly thereafter), the positive feelings of meditation are often more subtle and may not be so obvious, at least in the short term.
In truth, the benefits of mindful meditation, when practiced daily, can be profound and life altering. I speak from experience.
So, while you’re ratcheting up the pace of your physical activity, you’d be smart to also spend some meaningful time each day in slow mode, practicing some form of meditation.
Over time you’ll notice a pleasant shift in your ability to handle the stuff of life. Even your friends and family may notice your growing equanimity and want to know your secret.
Think about dedicating 10 minutes of your day to meditation, starting today
From fringe to mainstream
If you were meditating twenty years ago you were a real trailblazer.
Most considered the practice of sitting, with nothing more than one’s thoughts, to be of dubious value.
Now we know differently. Science has given us some pretty convincing evidence that consciously pausing to meditate each day provides us with a wealth of internal benefits.
Here’s a great piece that describes how meditation promotes physical and emotional well-being – if you still need some convincing:
http://www.helpguide.org/harvard/benefits-of-mindfulness.htm
An App to tame the frenzy
| A couple of months ago I found an App, based on a book written by Dan Harris called 10% Happier. Some of you may know him as the guy who had a panic attack while broadcasting the news on Good Morning America a few years ago.
This very public incident was a catalyst that helped him turn to meditation for help with the frenzy. What I like about the App’s format is that it provides a short, guided meditation for each day as well as a 5 minute interview with a meditation expert Joseph Goldstein who, I gotta say, has the kind of wisdom I can’t wait to hear each day when I pull up the App. Bottom line: the program is extremely well designed and fits perfectly into a busy schedule. If you’ve been meaning to try meditation but haven’t figured out where to begin, this App is for you. They even let you try it for 7 days to see if it works for you. Here’s the link: http://www.10percenthappier.com/ |