Holidays are hectic. Even when sales are down due to recession, holidays are hectic. So this week’s Mental Yoga exercise is about quieting your mind.
You may already be a meditation or yoga practitioner. In that case, this exercise will be easy for you.
You don’t have to spend an hour-and-a-half in lotus position to get the benefits of quieting the mind. For my anxiety clients, I recommend they take a “quiet pause” for 30 seconds to 5 minutes several times a day just to recenter and refocus their minds. It is very rejuvenating, and even the most capitalistic Western mind can do 30 second pauses.
Simply find a space — mentally and physically– where you can sit, close your eyes (if possible), focus your attention on your breathing and allow your body to relax. Turn your awareness to your breathing first. Then shift your focus to your body. Scan your body from the top of your head to the tips of your toes. If you find any places that are tight or tense, stiff or sore, just breathe into the tight spots until they loosen up and relax.
The process sounds amazingly simply because it is, and it works amazingly well.
Do this every day for one month and journal the changes you experience. This simple process is life altering.
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