Your alarm screams in your ears, and you are jolted out of a deep sleep. You look at the clock on your nightstand in utter disbelief that your sleep time is over… spent. “But I just lay down!” you protest. “Ugh—and I have a million things to do today!”
After you slide out from under your warm covers, your feet hit the floor—running. As you zoom from your cozy cocoon, you remind yourself not to forget to pay the mortgage, call Tiffany’s teacher, and update your boss on the Bellings account.
You bolt to the kitchen, practically tripping over your Labradoodle, Trixie, as you beeline toward your state-of-the-art coffee maker. After fixing yourself a cup of exotic Kona, you reach for your To-Do List. Your eyes dart up and down the daunting list as you quickly scribble several more actions to take.
Sound familiar? For many of us, in today’s fast-paced world, chronic rushing is a way of life. Of course, being productive is admirable; however, making a lifestyle out of rushing is quite another story. Chronic “hurrying” becomes problematic when we feel uncomfortable slowing down…and don’t take breaks to recharge.
In your own life, do you find that it’s often difficult to slow down during the day? If so, then you may be experiencing the inner “Pusher/Do-er” part of yourself taking over. Unfortunately, when this high-achieving part becomes too domineering, it can create stress-related health challenges.
Being in a chronic state of hurrying can generate high anxiety and bring on fight-or-flight responses. In this hyper-alert state, our minds and bodies make us feel as though saber-toothed tigers are chasing us. As a result, stress hormones, like adrenalin, are released.
I, too, have a strong Inner Pusher/Do-er part in myself that loves to achieve. In fact, I sometimes tell people that I’m a recovering “Type A” Personality. Type A’s are known to be perfectionistic and often have a difficult time relaxing. Thank goodness, back in my college years, I learned how to meditate. And now, I have been a meditator for over two decades and I’m grateful for this peaceful, centering practice.
Over the last thirty years, more than one thousand studies exploring the effects of meditation have been reported in scientific publications. Brain scans, EEGs, and blood tests are only a few of the scientific research methods used. These studies provide concrete evidence of the physical and psychological benefits of meditation.
In the stillness of meditation, we calm the tensions of our minds and bodies by learning how to slow down and let go. In my book, Stress Reduction Journal — Meditate and Journal Your Way to Better Health, I share the following information:
Potential Benefits of Meditation
- Lowered blood pressure
- Reduced stress-related diseases (including heart disease)
- Decreased anxiety and depression
- Increased creativity
- Heightened ability to concentrate
So, if meditating is such a beneficial practice, why aren’t more people doing it? I have heard many people say that finding the time to meditate is the biggest challenge. With daily responsibilities that often include kids, spouses, pets, aging parents, and jobs outside the home — meditation can end up the last task on a person’s To-Do List.
The good news is: I teach a Beginner’s Meditation Practice that can inspire people to fit this important “me-time” activity into their busy schedules. Then, by breaking the cycle of a continual doing mode—they gently relax into a being mode that honors the peacefulness of the present moment. Ahhh…
What a healthy gift we give our minds and bodies each time we meditate. We have an opportunity to connect with the quiet places inside to reduce our stress levels … and recharge from the inside out.
Trina Swerdlow, BFA, CCHT, is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, an artist, and the author and illustrator of Stress Reduction Journal. She is also the author of the 2-CD Set, Weight Loss: Powerful & Easy-to-Use Tools for Releasing Excess Weight. Trina currently has a private practice in downtown Danville. You can reach her at: (925) 285.5759, or info@TrinaSwerdlow.com.
Certified Clinical Hypnotherapy services in California can be alternative or complementary to licensed healing arts, such as psychotherapy.
Leave a Reply