I so wish I would have done it before.   Thought it was too woo woo and fluff.   Why it’s so important to share this with you.  I’m struggling and hope it will help me as well as  you.

I’m struggling with stress - chronic stress, anxiety and anxiety attacks.  This year will be 5 years as a caregiver.  I have had the pleasure and privilege of taking care of my loved ones through their health challenges and struggles and many moments of joy.  But you know as well as me, this caregiver job can take quite the wear and tear on your physical and mental health.  

But reality is, if you wait until the time is right to take care of yourself, it will never come.  And if it does, embrace it.  For me, one crisis or challenge kept coming.   Again, I know you can relate.  

So let’s get back to my intro. It’s not something my family practiced.  It seemed silly and  woo woo.  But my friends have been doing it and have seen huge results.  But I kept telling myself I can’t sit still.  I can quiet my brain.   Have  you figured it out?   It’s meditation.  

The beautiful thing was I turned on some nature music off google sat on the floor.  I felt my shoulder rest, I also felt like I was floating.  I never felt that before.  

When we meditate, we lower our stress levels, we get to know our pain, we connect better, we improve our focus, and we're kinder to ourselves. 

When we pay attention to our breath, we're learning how to return to, and remain in, the present moment—to anchor ourselves in the here and now on purpose, without judgement.

The practice takes patience. 

While meditation isn’t a cure-all, it can certainly provide some much-needed space in your life. And the most important tools you can bring with you to your meditation practice are a little patience, some kindness for yourself, and a comfortable place to sit.

Here's why to meditate:

• Understanding your pain
• Lower your stress
• Connect better
• Improve focus
• Reduce brain chatter

The practice is simple. 

•  Find place to sit that feels calm and quiet to you
• Consider music or noise cancelling headphones
• Set a time limit
• Notice your body
• Feel your breath  
• Notice when your mind has wandered  
• Be kind to your wandering mind 
• Close with kindness
• Consider what you want to do afterwards 

Meditation may offer a solution to the growing need to reduce stress in the midst of busy schedules and demanding lives.

Although there isn’t a right or wrong way to meditate, it’s important to find a practice that meets your needs.

There are nine popular types of meditation practices:

• mindfulness meditation
• spiritual meditation
• focused meditation
• movement meditation
• mantra meditation
• transcendental meditation
• progressive relaxation
• loving-kindness meditation
• visualization meditation

Not all meditation styles are right for everyone. 

Meditation can offer general health and mental/emotional benefits:

• lower blood pressure
• reduced stress
• better sleep
• improved emotional regulation
• increased focus
• enhanced mood
• reduced aggression
• greater adaptability
• healthier aging process
• a greater sense of empathy and connection with others

I wish I would have started this practice years ago.    Here’s to more zen and less stress.  Here’s to more prayer and less anxiety.  Here’s to quieting the brain and allowing in joy.