In this week’s Micro Mondays episode on the Women Living Well After 50 Podcast, I’m focusing on reducing anxiety and stress through a short guided meditation.
Lockdown due to COVID is hitting hard and many are feeling heightened stress and anxiety. Life in general can be stressful. Today I’m taking you through a guided meditation to find calm. We will focus on a breathing exercise that you can do at anytime you are feeling stress. It is important to focus on your well-being and taking time out for yourself is important.
In the article, Breath Meditation: A great way to relieve stress, Harvard Health suggests
Simply observing the breath can damp down stress and open a door to a more healthy and mindful lifestyle.
Psychological stress has a devastating effect on health. Research shows that people with heart disease do worse over time if they don’t control stress, and stress seems to be associated with a higher risk for cancer. Stress is strongly associated with poorer memory and more aches and pains. However, reducing stress helps you sleep more restfully and control high blood pressure.
One of the easiest ways to reduce stress is to simply focus your attention on your breath. It’s a form of “entry level” meditation that anyone can do. You’ll notice an immediate sense of relaxation that could help protect your health over time.
Harvard Health, Breath meditation: A great way to relieve stress
Some key points to remember about a breathing meditation:
- Find a quiet spot where you won’t be disturbed
- Take time to get comfortable. Sit in a comfortable chair or lay on a mat.
- Have a blanked nearby and perhaps light a candle for ambiance
- Don’t worry if you can’t clear your mind of thoughts. Accept them and let them go by taking the focus to the BREATH
- Don’t rush, give yourself up to the moment as you nurture your mind, body and spirit.
22 Comments
there’s a morning affirmations with Ayesha from the Darlinghurst theatre on Fb, and that’s like a 30 second breathing and postiivity session. I like those but mainly cos I like to see what the affirmation is each day…hehe. I’m nosy! #Lifethisweek
Hi Lydia that sounds good. Thanks for sharing I will check out the FB as a short positivity session is a great way to start the day. Have a lovely week. x
I’m setting myself an alarm this week to stop and breathe, even if it’s just for 5 mins, so this is timely. Thanks Sue.
This is great, Sue. Breath meditation is a simple and useful tool to find calm. Thank you for linking up with #weekendcoffeeshare.
Great timing for a guided meditation to help reduce stress and anxiety Sue. The situation in Australia, NSW in particular is very worrying and as you say stress and anxiety for many is heightened. I might just give this a listen a bit later today! Have a wonderful week. xo
Thank you for the calm and for the guided practice. I followed along and found this incredibly helpful.
You are an awesome teacher!
I don’t tend to meditate during the day – though should! But I listen to several different meditation apps and tracks during the night to help me sleep. Some guided, some noise, some music. It doesn’t always work but I’ve become obsessed with putting something on each time I wake. It does the trick sometimes and I later realise I didn’t hear the whole thing and fell asleep.
Hi Deb, I’m not one to meditate for long periods but I do find just sitting or laying down and breathing is very calming.
Just gave it a go. Feeling a bit light headed but I was beforehand. I think it would be very beneficial with practice. Thank you!
Reporting back to say that shortly afterwards I felt much better and more centred. Thanks so much.
I’m so pleased Ness, thanks for letting me know. x
Thanks Ness. Yes it can bring light headedness that is why sitting or laying down is the best way.
I must admit Sue that I don’t often stop and just breathe. I should become more mindful about breathing. I will listen to your Micro Monday on my walk today
Hi Jen, yes I have to consciously tell myself to breath but if I’m anxious it certainly helps. x
This is great information Sue, thanks so much for sharing your experience with us.
Hope it relaxed you Deb! x
So good Sue. Thank you for sharing
Thanks and glad you enjoyed it, Kirstin. xx
That was lovely and really helped to calm me. Your voice is very soothing 🙂 I’m going to bookmark for future use. Thank you!
Oh thank you for your lovely comment, Holly and I’m so pleased it helped to calm you. xx
Lovely idea to share Sue. I start my day mindfully before rising. Daily Calm has been and continues to be my practice and this week I chalked up 600 days in a row….
Thank you for linking up for Life This Week. Next week, the optional prompt is Time. I hope to see you link up again. Warmest wishes, Denyse.
Hi Denyse, I know you are a great supporter of relaxation and mediation and know you use the Daily Calm app. So many ways to help us relax these days