Meditation and Breathing When Feeling Overwhelmed

It is extremely easy in today's environment to start feeling overwhelmed. Going to your "happy place" in your mind is a trite answer but it can be THE answer if completed in a manner that lets you feel rejuvenated. Let's take a moment to go to our happy places together with an easy visualization.

Preparation:

• Turn off your monitors or face away from them.

• Turn on white noise or soft gentle music if you so choose

Begin the Exercise:

• Sit comfortably, closing your eyes if that feels comfortable to you, or taking a soft gaze in front of you if that feels more appropriate for you.

• Stretch your legs out in front of you and recline your head back against your chair. Take a few moments to practice your box breathing.

• Breathe in for a count of four, hold for four, breathe out for four, hold for four. Repeat one more time at least.

• Imagine a light, fluffy cloud descending and surrounding your body. Take a moment to imagine the softness and cool sensation surrounding you.

• The cloud gently lifts you up and you watch the sun filtering through the leaves, or across the water as you ascend.

• Imagine traveling to your happy place on your cloud.

• You move slowly and gently, noticing the things around you as you travel.

• Picture in your mind your happy place, as clearly as you can. Perhaps that is the mountains, the forest, the beach, your home, wherever you feel the most content.

• Your cloud descends into that place, and you take the time to mentally observe the area around you. Notice the things that make you happy about this place you have arrived in. Imagine the sights and sounds.

• Soak in all the bliss that this place brings you for as long as you need to feel at ease.

• The cloud descends once again to transport you back to the present moment. You can feel the gentleness as it supports you and you return.

Closing the Exercise:

• Slowly reawaken yourself to your surroundings

• With your eyes still closed or with the gentle gaze proceed with the following steps

• Start by gently wiggling your fingers and toes

• Rotate the ankles and wrists

• End by reaching your arms over head and stretching your feet and legs out as if you are taking an early morning stretch

• Slowly open your eyes and proceed with your day.

Notes:

By focusing on the things which make you happy you are releasing the things that are stressful to you and are staying in the here and now releasing the additional stressful thoughts that have been dwelling.

Upon returning your consciousness to the here and now you should feel more relaxed and ready to handle the rest of the day.

I hope you take a moment to try this practice and let me know how you feel after you did. Take a little piece of your happy place with you as you move through your day today and don't forget to check the videos on our Working Mindfully YouTube Channel also!

-A