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Meditation for Recentering
We all know that life can sometimes be a little overwhelming, and during a busy work week, it’s difficult to prioritize time to stop and breathe. It’s easy to let the day-to-day distract us from living in the moment and finding happiness and peace in our everyday lives. Whether you are busy at work, balancing work and home life, keeping up with back-to-school homework and extracurricular activities, or all of the above, it is important to make time for yourself and find what centers you and reminds you who you are. It starts with the body and the mind. Once you have guidance over those two important aspects of yourself, you can shift into a mindset of relaxation and mind clarity.
Wellness Manager Meghan Henley offers a great at-home (or at work) method to try when you’re feeling preoccupied, uninspired or overwhelmed, and it all begins with simply stepping away for a moment. Mental rest not only stimulates creativity, it also increases productivity and energy levels. Removing yourself from the physical environment where you often feel the most stress can create a new perspective.
Start by checking in with yourself where you are. Mentally, physically and emotionally, where do you find tension? What emotions are you feeling? What reoccurring thoughts do you notice? Remember to take your time to notice these feelings, dig deep and leave them behind as you go. Now, make your way to a new space for meditation. Begin to notice your surroundings. Find a comfortable seat either on the floor or a chair, and settle into your body. Bring awareness to your breathing as you close your eyes. Allow the muscles of the jaw and sides of your neck to soften. Allow the weight of your arms to soften the shoulders. With your eyes still closed, allow your chin to drop toward your chest. Gently take your head and move slowly side to side. Roll your shoulders both forward and backward. Begin to shake your hands with limp wrists.
You may feel a subtle energy shift. It may feel nice to open your mouth slightly as you do this. Still in a seated position, place your hands on your knees, and with an exhale, begin to round your spine. Breathe in, lifting your chest and letting your head drop back to a comfortable position over your neck. If possible, keep your eyes closed and take an easy twist to both your right and left side. Then, let your body settle into stillness once again. Take time to picture yourself sitting there in your new environment with new energy and a gentler outlook. Checking in with yourself again, how do you feel? Where can you find ease? What else would you like to feel? What could you do to bring more gentleness into your day? Take this moment to feel gratitude and pride for taking time for yourself.