Typically when we hear someone mention 'meditation' we automatically think of that two letter word that comes with it, "Om." Often, we picture a person sitting criss cross apple sauce with their eyes closed and their hands on their knees in the middle of an empty room. But there's so much more to it.
I had no idea that there are so many different ways to meditate other than the one that we all have glued in our brains. Nor did I think that it can have such an impact on your life.
Honestly, I just thought it was some way to sit there and do nothing. It kind of is, but there's so much more to it than you think. It can change your day/life in such a positive way.
I think we can all agree that we have days when we don't want to deal with anything. Whether it was a stressful, chaotic, long, annoying day at work, school, a family function, etc., we've all had moments where you wish you could scream at the top of your lungs, flip some tables, and run away. Trust me, I understand the feeling completely.
Little did I know that a lot of people meditate. After knowing little about meditation to knowing quite a substantial, amount it's normal for people to do it frequently. Some people I know have a routine of doing it every day once in the morning when they wake up and right before they go to bed.
Most of us probably have no idea that some of your everyday activities is in some way a form of meditation. Instead of getting angry, screaming, flipping some tables, and causing a scene, try some of these forms of meditation that I do to clear your mind.
1. Go for a walk
Go for a walk by yourself. It can be around your neighborhood, campus, or on a bike/walking trail near you. Take this time to yourself and embrace all that you're feeling whether it be anger, stress, anxiety, or depression, and think about why you are feeling this way. Doing this will lighten the load that you have. If you want, you can even listen to a calming playlist that you have on your phone or iPod. If not, enjoy nature at its finest.
2. Journal
Writing down your thoughts gives you the ability to clear your mind and gain perspective on a situation. This is one of my favorites and one that I find very beneficial. I know a lot of people who journal and they say the same thing. Find a used one or go to a store and find a journal that you can use specifically to write down all of your thoughts. There is something so relieving doing this.
Whatever emotion you're feeling while journaling, you write it in that specific manner. Say you're angry, don't be surprised if you can't read your handwriting or if there are a lot of scribbles, it's totally normal.3. Movement
Remember when you were little and you played those games where you couldn't touch the ground because it was lava so you had to move around/on the furniture? Channel your inner five-year-old self and find an empty room. Once there, move around the entire room acting like there are different objects in your way and maneuver yourself around them, much like a monkey or any other type of animal like a lion or dog.
Go from one end of the room to the other or circle the entire room itself. Do something different with each move like a somersault, cartwheel, or try keeping your knees and your elbows off the ground the entire time. A friend of mine introduced me to this and I found it entertaining yet so calming. All you think about is your next move and nothing else all the while reliving your fun childhood memories.
4. Breathe
Simple, right? Most of the time we forget to do this one simple thing that is most important... breathe. Sometimes when we get caught up in a moment we forget to do it. I've had this happen to me a lot when I feel stressed or overwhelmed in a moment.
Taking a moment from a very stressful day or moment to focus on your breathing can lift a huge weight off your chest. Set a timer for every five or 10 minutes throughout the day to remind yourself to stop what you're doing and breathe. I usually practice 4-7-8 breathing (breathe in for four counts, hold for seven, and breathe out for eight) but if you have another way, go for it.5. Go to the gym
Didn't think this one would actually be an option, did ya? Personally, this one is on the top of my list. Let me tell you, never in the 20 years that I've been alive did I think I would actually enjoy going to the gym. Of course, the first six or seven years I didn't know a thing about "going to the gym," but I still count it.
But seriously, going to the gym releases these things called endorphins. If you're feeling stressed, you work that shit out, pun intended. My friends always tell me that whenever I go to the gym I release so many emotions. If that happens to you too don't sweat it, it's 100% normal.
When I feel stressed, sad, or have a lot on my mind 99% of the time I know that I need to go to the gym. Sometimes I can't pull myself together to go so I have a friend that I text a single word to and by that single text, she knows she needs to motivate me to get off my lazy ass and go to the gym. I do it and I feel so much better afterwards.
There are so many other ways to meditate, but these are the top five that I highly recommend. If none of these work for you, find something that you really love doing and whenever you're feeling uncertain, sad, stressed, or overwhelmed, do whatever brings you to your happy place and helps bring some positivity into your life.
If you remember to do this daily, I promise you your outlook on life will change and you will start to feel so much better about life and yourself. After all, who's better than you? NOBODY!