Using Meditation to Stay Calm

 To paraphrase the Dalai Lama, if the whole world practiced meditation, there would be no wars. He spoke of the calming effects meditation has on people. Meditation gives you the ability to reflect and focus on what’s important while disregarding what isn’t.

Letting go of the little stuff is important to stay calm. Letting go makes sense since if you are getting stressed out over every situation you come across, you simply cannot relax. And being stressed out is a surefire way to a nervous breakdown. With the COVID-19 outbreak, practicing meditation to stay focused and calm is a great first step in preparing...there's no need for panic, but there is a need to stay focused and calm.

Meditation allows you to clear your mind and has a calming effect since you are not thinking about your problems. As you finish your meditative sessions, you tend to remain calm with the ripple effect. You are also more prepared to handle problems that come your way because your less likely to respond with an reactionary state.

The biggest problem with meditation is it takes time for it to be effective. Because of this, some people pass it off as being nonsense and think only gurus on mountaintops use it. For most people, they need to stick with it for a while before it starts to show benefits. We are too conditioned for instant gratification and lack the patience and stamina to participate in a meditation practice. People simply give up because they don’t think meditation is right for them or worth their time.

It is a good idea to start with guided meditation when you first begin. With guided meditation, the person speaking has experience in how to get you to a relaxed state. Of course, there will be some due diligence on your part to make sure you find a qualified and experienced meditation specialist. Ask friends, family, and colleagues for people who have gone through it successfully.

Be careful with the information you find online. Many people will appoint themselves experts when they have no experience. It’s not a regulated field, so you get plenty of pretenders and wannabes. These people are usually offering up courses that others are offering. Why not just go directly to the course of a qualified trainer?

Sometimes, meditation & Yoga classes run alongside each other which can be useful for a more well-rounded experience. It will help with your mind and your body. When trying to become calm, you shouldn't overlook your body. If your muscles are hurting, this can cause you to become stressed out. Too many people believe Yoga does not get you fit like vigorous exercise. However, when you look at most Yoga instructors, you will see they are in fantastic shape. The naysayers are usually the ones who have never given Yoga a try.

If you'd like to remain focused and calm, develop a meditation practice.

Until next time...

Lisa

P.S. My blog posts are Stepping Stones from my coaching membership where I offer monthly masterclasses on Self-Awareness, Goal Setting, Meditation, Forgiveness, Gratitude, Self-Love, and other Self-Care practices that are essential to living an Intentional Life. My program helps women heal from traumas, including childhood physical and emotional abuse, heartbreak from the loss of a relationship, moving on and forward from divorce, grief, and empty nest syndrome...the major obstacles that litter the PATHS of living our best lives. Here's a link to more information on my monthly coaching program, A Pilgrimage to Self: https://www.lisamcgrath.me/thank-you-for-your-interest-in-a-pilgrimage-to-self