Meditation:
Tools to calm the mind
Meditation brings a sense of clarity that allows you to make better decisions and reason with logic. Normally, when emotions are high, logic is low. Meditation is a holistic approach to balance out emotions, live with ease, and train your mind to be aware, while getting a healthy sense of perspective. You’re not trying to turn off your thoughts or feelings- you’re learning to observe them without judgment. And eventually, you may start to better understand them as well.
Benefits of Meditation
Most people are likely familiar with the positive side effects of meditation associated with mental health such as increased awareness, clarity, compassion, a sense of calm, and improved focus. Here are just a couple more we’ve found to be true.
- Being less reactive
- Clearer skin (due to lower stress levels)
- Present in the moment
- Brain Power (improves connectivity)
- Balances mental and emotional health
- Improves focus & concentration
- Soothes negative effects of sympathetic nervous system (anxiety, tension, fatigue and depression)
How Often should we Meditate?
Just like all things, meditation takes practice, and it doesn’t always come easily. In fact, meditation can be notoriously difficult, even for those who have been practicing for years. Meditation works when we commit to actively engaging in it.
Start with a 10 – 15 minute meditation in the morning to set the tone for your day. Cultivating a practice that continually brings you back to the present moment is what helps reduce the cycle of anxious, ‘running on a hamster wheel’ thoughts.
Using a Smudge Stick or Intention Crystals can help you set the mood. It has elements that help cleanse spaces from negative energy and work towards purifying your senses, making it a great tool for healing and cleansing rituals.
It’s important to pause and come back to focusing on the breath by gently observing every inhale through the nose and exhale out of the mouth. Doing this for two minutes alone instantly decreases the cortisol levels in your body.
Cortisol is known as the ‘stress hormone’, which is why it’s important to keep it in check. Using Uplifting Mood Oils and Aromatherapy can help reduce emotional tension, and invigorate the senses for a heightened sense of calm. Keeping them in your purse or pocket for self-care on the go can be a good idea. Even 5 minutes of meditation can have a profound effect on your mood. Don’t be discouraged if at first you find your mind wandering. There are always opportunities to get a quick meditation in. Once you shift your perception towards time you will start to find many more moments available to close your eyes to become more present.
Maintain Your Practice
Maintaining a daily meditation practice is also easier said than done. Setting yourself up for a regular and consistent practice will ensure that you reap all the benefits. Here are some tips on how you can stay on track with your meditation practice:
• Meditate first thing in the morning if possible
• Light up a Lavender Chamomile Apothecary Candle
• Prioritize meditation in your wellness routine
• Keep it familiar - “same time, same place” can help you turn your practice into a habit
• Be flexible with your meditation routine (not every day is going to be the same)
• Try to be less judgmental about your meditation
• Invite a friend to hold each other accountable
For those days that you’re in a hurry, it’s easy to splash a quick Sacred Mood Mist over your face to feel an instant sense of relief before you walk out the door. It’s properties stimulate, and uplift the senses while reminding you to breathe.
Remember, your life is as good as your mindset. Training your brain to stay in the present and preparing for potential mood disruptors will help you live with ease. Coming back to your meditation practice will offer stability and peace in your everyday life no matter how insurmountable the external factors might seem.
Lavender Chamomile : Bath Soak Tube
