By definition, to meditate, is to focus one's mind for a period of time, in silence or with the aid of chanting, either for religious or spiritual purposes or as a method of relaxation. When I was much younger, I used to meditate as part of training for my black belt. It kept me centred, disciplined and focussed. However in more recent years, I had pushed my me time on the back burner.
A little over two years ago, I started to notice that after a long day of work, I would be left feeling agitated and I would be short termpered with my loved ones. I found that I would be quite restless when going to bed, it would take me a while to fall asleep and if I did fall asleep, I would find that it was low quality and I would wake in the morning to find myself tired and more irritable than before I went to bed.
One of my closest friends noticed this odd behaviour and he recognised that I needed something to help me wind down and focus on calming myself. He introduced me to Headspace, a platform for everyday mindfulness and is a tool to asssist one in stressing less, increase movement and sleep soundly.
The app is fairly interactive with a range of activities built-in to fit any need and schedule. From quick three minute breathing exercises to daily guided exercises and night sleepcasts to help ease the mind before rest.
I have taken to the focussed meditations which assist is tackling different concepts that need more focus in my life. One has been sleep health, it is a thirty day course which has given me new tools and technqiues to assist in relaxing both my body and mind whilst letting go of my day and ease into restfulness.
Headspace has other guided courses to takle stress & anxiety, assist in productivity, deal with children, parenting and relationships, sports stress and so many others. The list is truly endless to what Headspaces' guided meditation courses can help with. One of the great features of the courses is that you can set the time from between 10 to 20 minutes and in some instances a male or female voice (some concepts seem to suit a certain gendered voice).
One of my favourite features of the app is a dedicated tab for Sleep. This section has so many different meditations and sounds to help with improving one's sleep. The nighttime SOS option has short 5 -10 minutes guided meditations to help with overcoming a nightmare or waking up with physical pain. It also has sleep music to help fall into sleep and also a storytelling option that is quite peaceful and relaxing to listen to.
Above Image: Headspace App Interface for Sleep Tab
In a previous post, titled Strength, I mentioned noting as technique to help me grow stronger; not only does it help me find strength, it also helps me become self aware of my thoughts and feelings. I use noting throughout my day, sparingly I must add, to bring awareness back to myself. When I am caught up in work and lose a sense of awareness, it helps to bring my centre back and become aware of distractions and give clarity to a situation.
I do have a short attention span, so when meditating, I find that my mind does flutter around and begins thinking of work, studies, cleaning, cooking, my parents and my partner, but noting acts as an anchor as it brings my focus back to breathing and the meditation whilst still cknowledgeing the distracting thought. It is not an easy concept to master but it does come naturally once you understand it's purpose.
Above Image: Headspace app animation video for Noting
Meditation has become an integral part of my self care routine as it allows me to unwind from day, centre myself, improve my sleep health and become more self aware of my feelings and thoughts.
I feel that I will make a post dedicated to my self care routine but for now, will leave you with a Headspace quote which brings me peace:
"Imagine all of the thinking, sensations and tension in the body just beginning to melt away"
Please Note: This post is not a paid ad or endoresement by Headspace, nor do I believe meditation is the only resolute for anxiety/stress/sleep deprivation. All Headspace related images are screenshots from the app interface.
A little over two years ago, I started to notice that after a long day of work, I would be left feeling agitated and I would be short termpered with my loved ones. I found that I would be quite restless when going to bed, it would take me a while to fall asleep and if I did fall asleep, I would find that it was low quality and I would wake in the morning to find myself tired and more irritable than before I went to bed.
One of my closest friends noticed this odd behaviour and he recognised that I needed something to help me wind down and focus on calming myself. He introduced me to Headspace, a platform for everyday mindfulness and is a tool to asssist one in stressing less, increase movement and sleep soundly.
The app is fairly interactive with a range of activities built-in to fit any need and schedule. From quick three minute breathing exercises to daily guided exercises and night sleepcasts to help ease the mind before rest.
I have taken to the focussed meditations which assist is tackling different concepts that need more focus in my life. One has been sleep health, it is a thirty day course which has given me new tools and technqiues to assist in relaxing both my body and mind whilst letting go of my day and ease into restfulness.
Headspace has other guided courses to takle stress & anxiety, assist in productivity, deal with children, parenting and relationships, sports stress and so many others. The list is truly endless to what Headspaces' guided meditation courses can help with. One of the great features of the courses is that you can set the time from between 10 to 20 minutes and in some instances a male or female voice (some concepts seem to suit a certain gendered voice).
Above Image: An example of the Headspace App Interface for a Guided Meditation
One of my favourite features of the app is a dedicated tab for Sleep. This section has so many different meditations and sounds to help with improving one's sleep. The nighttime SOS option has short 5 -10 minutes guided meditations to help with overcoming a nightmare or waking up with physical pain. It also has sleep music to help fall into sleep and also a storytelling option that is quite peaceful and relaxing to listen to.
In a previous post, titled Strength, I mentioned noting as technique to help me grow stronger; not only does it help me find strength, it also helps me become self aware of my thoughts and feelings. I use noting throughout my day, sparingly I must add, to bring awareness back to myself. When I am caught up in work and lose a sense of awareness, it helps to bring my centre back and become aware of distractions and give clarity to a situation.
I do have a short attention span, so when meditating, I find that my mind does flutter around and begins thinking of work, studies, cleaning, cooking, my parents and my partner, but noting acts as an anchor as it brings my focus back to breathing and the meditation whilst still cknowledgeing the distracting thought. It is not an easy concept to master but it does come naturally once you understand it's purpose.
Meditation has become an integral part of my self care routine as it allows me to unwind from day, centre myself, improve my sleep health and become more self aware of my feelings and thoughts.
I feel that I will make a post dedicated to my self care routine but for now, will leave you with a Headspace quote which brings me peace:
"Imagine all of the thinking, sensations and tension in the body just beginning to melt away"
Please Note: This post is not a paid ad or endoresement by Headspace, nor do I believe meditation is the only resolute for anxiety/stress/sleep deprivation. All Headspace related images are screenshots from the app interface.
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