It’s time to rest and relax. We are just going to sit and be today. Nice and simple. Be here, be present, be accepting, be you. One thing I like to remind people is that you can still practice mindfulness and be stressed. You can still meditate and be overwhelmed. That’s WHY we practice these things! They help us cope. They don’t make us perfectly calm and peaceful people. They help alleviate the stress symptoms, but they’ll never fully go away.
The 7 Types of Rest For Stress Management
You may have it all together, and you may not. You may be ready for a season of hustling, and you may not. You may be happy, and you may not. Whatever you’re feeling, it’s ok.
You may THINK you have it all together, and then you realize you’re sadly mistaken. You may be an awesome cook and can make a mean béchamel sauce, but can’t bake cookies worth the life of you.
The moral of all of the story is you may think you’re prepared, and do everything you can to make something perfect, but it still won’t always turn out the way you want it to.
[enter from stage left: stress and anxiety]
So this week, I have the 7 types of rest for you to choose from. This list was adapted from a TEDTalk by Saundra Dalton-Smith, MD. Remember, rest and needs look different for everyone. Take what you need, leave the rest.
- Physical rest : sleep, stretch, meditate
- Mental rest: take a break, read fiction, unplug, take a deep breath of fresh air, meditate
- Sensory rest: unplug, close your eyes, meditate
- Creative rest: enjoy nature, listen to music, meditate
- Emotional rest: separate yourself from drama, meditate
- Social rest: engage only with people who support you, unfollow toxic people on social media, meditate
- Spiritual rest: connect with a feeling greater than us, look inward to find your purpose, meditate
Well, would you look at what was on every single one of those lists! 😮 MEDITATION! I think we may be on to something here at Mindful Actions, what do you think?!?
So, which type of rest are you going to pick over the next week? I’m picking mental, sensory, and creative. Everything that has to do with giving my mind a break because my brain is FRIED!
Mental Clarity To Be More Present
I’m excited for this meditation. Even just writing out my notes for it, I felt my mind begin to calm down.
We will get into our meditation soon here. But before we do so, here’s your mindful action. It seems simple, and it’s often easier said than done, but it’s just two words: just be. Your mindful actions is to just be. Be whatever you need to be this week. Be a parent. Be a friend. Be a loving sibling. Be you. Just Be.
Don’t focus on the impossible tasks and the things stressing you out. Focus on the do-able tasks. The things that YOU are capable of doing. Let the rest of it go. Just let it go.
The mantra for the meditation today will be: the present moment is my true self.
Now let’s get ready to meditate. To listen to this podcast episode and meditation, press play below!
Meditation to Calm The Mind
[Meditation script]
The goal in today’s meditation is to be comfortable and relaxed, but also alert. Your body should be comfortable in this space. But your mind should be awake. This is what being at peace looks like. Steady, comfortable support, while simply being present and observing yourself in this moment.
Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.
Count your breath up to 10 and start over. Counting each set of inhales and exhales as one.
Comfort. Peace. Calm.
Comfort. Peace. Calm.
Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.
Count your breath up to 10.
If your mind wanders, just bring it back to the breath.
With all of the stress we’re experiencing right now, I want you to check in with your head. Not just your mind, but your actual head. The part of you that encapsules your third eye and crown chakras. How does your head feel today?
Are you holding tension up there? Perhaps between your eyebrows. Around your temples. Tightness at the base of your neck that links to your crown?
With each breath, focus on releasing tension in your head.
And now let’s focus on your mind. Those never-ended thoughts circling around in your head. Can you let them go? Just for this moment. Let them go. With each breath, imagine empty space in your mind. The breath filling your mind with clear energy instead of crammed with thoughts.
If you need to, with each breath, say these words to yourself.
Comfort. Peace. Calm. Clear the energy.
Count your breath up to 10 another time.
And now let’s say our mantra together three times through:
The present moment is my true self.
Let’s focus on our breath one more time.
This week, just remember to be. Be here. Be here for you. Be you.
Namaste.
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Copyright © Mindful Actions, bethbackes.com, 2023. You may use this meditation script for your own practice but may not record, reproduce, publish, or offer it in a paid setting such as for a class or workshop.
