It’s been a while in between blogs I know, I can assure you I’ve not forgotten about you all, but rather I fall into the trap that I tell others not too- I get busy with everyone else’s stuff I neglect sometimes my own content. Yeah Yeah I know. Practice what you preach and all, but I assure you I’m back in the saddle and not only is it important to provide continual fresh content, the act and taking the time to sit and write is super therapeutic and allows me to get into my own creative space. I also need to make it a “me time” activity, or my life is all consumed by other stuff and it’ll start to drive you bat shit crazy (take it from someone that knows).
Now before you get any ideas about the title of this post, I can assure you my absence hasn’t been because I up and moved to an Ashram or have been on some blissful retreat on a tropical island. I pine, I long for a holiday- next year (as I’ve been saying for the past 3). More so this post is about me sharing with you some of the positive things that have happened because this Rock star or a brain of mine rarely ever bloody stops!
Starting anything is difficult we all know that- I tell my clients there’s never a good time to start and that we just need to jump on in and get it done. I was the same. I had flirted with the idea of going to a salt cave and doing a meditation class, maybe to a group class at the Rec center in my hood, but seriously I don’t have time for that. Then the thought of sitting something like this made me not only laugh my arse off, but how the hell my body could contort like that was another challenge – nope!
I tried different apps, but none of them really seem to work for me. I listed to tonnes of different guided meditations and relaxations and often if there was a mispronunciation of a word, a long pause or I didn’t like the person’s voice I just couldn’t get into it. It took lots of listening, trying and also laughing/ cringing until I could find some that I enjoyed.
The time of the day was important for me too. Night time was when I was at the most un rest. Worrying about what I had to do the next day, in 3 months time or about money, health or things. This was also the time of night that I’d have associated pain from my MS and my back and hip too. Nigh time was causing me a massive amount of stress and unrest and I was psyching my out before I even got to bed! I had to fix this and without reaching for sleeping killers or Valium (though I don’t mind them at times, but the after effects suck).
I started every night to listen to guided meditations and hypnosis and I found several voices I liked. I think I’d get maybe 20 mins in to an hour and boom I was out for the count.
Here are some of my fave’s which I found via Youtube. I’ll just post the links vs embedding all the videos.
Morning “Guided Meditation”: A positive visualization meditation to start your day
Intense Relaxation – Hypnosis Longer Version
Trance Sleep – Native Navajo Drumming for sleeping or deeper meditations Activate Your Higher Mind ? Subconscious Programming | Success | Happiness | Abundance | Prosperity
Guided meditation – A Sleepy vacation for positivity
Headphones are a must, I do it at night when I go to bed and my sleep, productivity, eating and smoking habits and all round health benefits I think have benefited because of this. I urge you to look around, listen and also to mix up the different objectives and aims of these sessions. I do things like meditation for – Abundance, to stop procrastinating, reduce stress, practice gratitude, health eating, managing stress, and just deep breathing
We all talk so much about mindfulness about well being and also stress, but let’s be real if this machine doesn’t fire on all cylinders and I invest in my own mental health and well being , well that doesn’t work out for anyone.
At first I would have thought that this was silly, but the impact and change it’s made on my life has been massive and I urge you to take some time to find and try something for yourself.
I do the bed time ones always. On occasion if I’ve a headache I’ll do a short mini one to try and assist. If I’m feeling particularly negative or upset I’ll start off my morning with a meditation to help me be positive and to practice gratitude and my favourite of late – the visualisation and guided meditation of me on my own private beach each and every night. Because let’s be real. I might not have the time to go on a holiday right now, but if my subconscious can go there each and every night and enjoy a cocktail by the pool, it makes me more driven to get there and to get through the day.
Anxiety levels are down, stress levels are down and my head is much more in the game and I can sleep! That alone is huge! I’d love to hear your experiences if you partake in any form of meditation, hypnosis or mindfulness. Let us know!
Go forth and chill the fuck out for a bit!! Your mind and body will thank you.. Mine does!
Namaste 😛
Chrissy