Motivational monday #2 : Meditation

Hi everyone! I am so sorry there was no motivational monday last week, I just didn't feel like posting something and I forgot to plan ahead as well! But here I am back for more motivational stuff! :)

So I thought I would share share something with you guys that I feel like has really changed me as a person, and I haven't even been doing it for long. I have in the past stuggled with really bad anxiety and although this is something I still have from time to time, I feel like this has really helped me in this area. This glorious thing is called guided meditation!

Meditation and yoga are principles that has always facinated me. Since it's seems to be really relaxing and good for you at the same time! I have tried different mediation teqniques in the past and although the goal is to become more patient I really struggled to even finish a session. I am a really impatient person and I need to see results fast I can't just sit still for 30 minutes with just music, it just dosen't work for me. Gutted at myself I gave it up for a year. However one day the most random thing happened. I was watching a youtubevideo and in the comments someone commented about this channel called The Honest Guys, and this would be my start at making meditation work for me. The difference between a regular meditation and The Honest Guys' approach is that they guide you through it. I really feel like this has been a fundamental reason I have sticked to this! And also that I can lay down. Another reason in the past it didn't work for me was that I put to much presure on sitting in the right position right away and it was too painful and it didn't work for me. ( It's ok at first but some people saif you had to not move a muscle and that was painful if you sat like that for a long period of time, it just felt tense) Now I just lay down, straight and it works wonders for me! Maybe someday I will do a lotus but not right now and that is ok. Whatever works for you do it!.

The first step I would say you should take before you begin on your journey to selfdiscovery is to set yourself a time of day you can meditate . The most common are in the morning or in the evening before you go to bed( perferably both but I recommend starting out with one). I do it before bed as this is where I feel like I have the time to do it properly and it has seriously improved my sleepingpattern. I am a light sleeper but meditation has made me fall asleep waaay faster than a couple of months ago. It really works people! My goal is to eventaully do some in the morning too but at the moment I find it hard to work, so I have a medtation book instead. This book has positive affirmations in it , one for everyday and a daily goal. Let me know if you want me to blog about this book in more detail next week!

The guided meditations can vary from everything to 3-10 minutes , to 30 minutes or several hours if you are feeling pro. You can choose what timeframe you feel comfortable with. You can start small and build yourself up as you go along. I recommend around 10 minutes at least. If you are an impatient creature like me the first session will be very all over the place and you will find yourself thinking about all sorts of things. Don't fret, it will be easier and easier. You will never blank your mind completly either so just embrace it now.

The meditations contains everything from nature settings to positive affirmations, and even meditations spesifically made to reduce stress and anxiety. I really love the honest guys because they really put you into the mindset of the meditation and they have music and nature sounds in the background which helps even more! And also that you can really tailor it to your own liking, whatever you want to work on or if you just wan an "escape" from reality even for a little bit. Meditation has some serious health benefits, such as :

1. Lowers blood pressure

2. Increases your immunity and help you get less sick.

3. Makes your attention span longer

4. Helps you fall asleep.

5. Helps you get more energy.

6. Make your body produce more serotonin, which is a hormon that improves your overall mood.

7. Reduce anxiety and stress

8. Makes your more creative

I could go on an on but you get the picture. Feel free to look up some more benefits if you are curious there are tons!

Ever since I started this I feel so much more lighter and I really look forward to every evening where I can have some me-time. It's not a spiritual thing so anyone can do this! I will have a link to my favorite guided meditations here. I hope you will give this a go if you feel like you need a breather. Put in your favorite headphones and start your journey of having a calmer mind.

Lots Of Love Emma xoxo