Responding creatively to stress.
Instead of reacting to situations with our old instincts, we can learn to respond thoughtfully and creatively. When we practice observing our own reactions, we can better understand the nature of our old instinctual patterns. After allowing our initial, instinctive reaction to pass by, we then have more time to choose how to respond with intention and care.
The experience of being in a meditative state is one of calmness, peacefulness and a sense of well-being. After meditating, this sense of well-being will continue for a half a day (or until the next stressful event). Research has shown that 20 minutes of meditation can lower cortisol stress hormone levels for 12 hours. This helps us to understand why meditation traditions around the world encourage meditation twice a day!
After meditating regularly, you will find that you are able to regain your calm more and more easily after a stressful event. You will also find that the feeling of peace gives your creative mind more space to find solutions to problems and this leads to less worry because you begin to trust in your abilities more and more.
Download this guided meditation for free:
20 minute Guided Meditation: Observation of the Breath MP3
Watching our thoughts and feelings as children on the playground of our imagination.
Know as children know, that these thoughts and feelings are temporary. Know that you are free to leave the playground game sat any time. Watch as the spinning wheels and grinding gears slow to a stop. Feel the peaceful stillness of a mind unwound.
Karah Pino, MAcOM is the creator and instructor of Unwind your Mind, a meditation course designed to help you discover for yourself the benefits of meditation and choose the style best suited to you.
