Been having trouble falling asleep lately? If you have, you’re not alone. With an increase in distractions and a decrease in down time, sleep problems are on the rise. But did you know meditation can help you sleep better?
How it Works
While meditation might look like a pretty stagnant and boring process to an outside observer, a lot goes on inside you while you’re meditating. As you meditate, you’re breathing deeply and evenly, which helps your mind and body relax. You begin to tune out the sensations of the outside world and focus only on what’s going on inside you. Meditation creates space to breathe, decompress, and re-center yourself.
Meditations for Stress Reduction
The best part about meditation is that you can do it just about anywhere. As long as you have a quiet, comfortable place to sit and think, you’re ready to go!
Here are some specific meditation ideas you can try the next time you’re feeling frazzled:
Body scan meditation. Take a few minutes to mentally scan your body from head to toe. Don’t try to change anything. Just notice the sensations you feel. (Note: Fabulous has a guided body scan meditation if you’d like to try it!)
Clear your thoughts visualization. If you find yourself overwhelmed with thoughts, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Imagine your thoughts are all clouds floating in front of you. Then, with a wave of your hand or a big, deep exhale, clear those thoughts away.
Happy place visualization. Need to step out of the world for a moment to collect yourself? Take some time to visualize a space that makes you feel calm, happy, and safe. It can be indoors or outdoors, big or small, real or imaginary. All that matters is that being there restores you.
The Mindbus. A Fabulous visualization exercise that turns your troubling thoughts into departing passengers on a bus, and you’re behind the wheel. Find it under the Get Inspired menu of Make Me Fabulous.
Once you find a calming meditation that works for you, practice it faithfully, so you can tap into its restorative powers whenever you need them. Happy meditating!
