Lately, so many of us have said it to ourselves silently, so many of us have said it to our friends and many of us probably have said it aloud to our immediate family - aka - our spouse and kids.
This pandemic has stretched us to our limits. Between work, kids’ online schedules, cooking and cleaning, and general upkeep at home - ALL of us have had to put on so many hats and juggle everything as best as we know-how.
The uncertainty of how and when this will end is very taxing emotionally. Such situations can make anxiety a part of our day... and it is very natural to want a break.
But the day only has so many hours and our to-dos are so long now.. when exactly do you pencil in your “break”??
If you are like me, a “break” would mean physically removing yourself from everyone - for some time - to recharge. Yes, that includes your immediate family. No, that does NOT mean you are a selfish person or that you are being rude.
Once you have removed yourself to a room (or a chair in a room) to be by yourself – it’s time to calm down. But how?!
Standard procedure, yeah? The usual breathe in... and... breathe out... say OM...
Nope... not this one... and definitely NOT like that..!!!
Meditation does NOT mean to focus on any one thing...
It means to empty your mind & listen to the silence thereafter.
It is VERY normal to have thoughts creep in as you try to meditate. Don’t resist, yet don’t hold onto those thoughts... think of it as a slide show... a new slide appears, stays for 15 seconds or so, you read it and then move onto the next one. Until all the slides are over & you are at the very end. THAT is when true meditation begins. When you can just be. With the nothingness. Weird but welcoming.
Put a hand on your stomach. Now, think of your tummy like a balloon...
Breathe in - balloon inflates and pushes out.
Breathe out - balloon deflates and goes back in.
It will take a few practice rounds to get our breathing to this pattern (most of us have been breathing the other way around all our lives, after all) - and make it a habit.
Now, close your eyes and let the slide show begin as you practice on the balloon inflating and deflating. You may feel drowsy.. but obviously don’t go to sleep.. this is after all just a short break.. and your kids, your jobs and your chores need you back!!!
P.S.: Yes, this simple trick will help you feel calm tremendously.
Rx: Take as many breaks as you need to do this.
Yes, kids can also do this. It is safe for all ages.
And yes, when practiced right before bed, it can lead to a restful sleep (tried and tested on my super stressed out corporate finance working husband!)
P.S.S.: Keep calm & carry on
Aatma Namaste!
| Sweta Shah Sakhpara is a pranic energy therapist and a pranic psychotherapist. She also teaches mindfulness and meditation to kids, adults and families. When she is not doing any of the above, she actively practices being a mindful parent to two kids. |
Having learned and practiced pranic healing for ~fifteen years, Sweta has been blessed with the trust of many clients for ailments as simple as a headache to complex ones like Tourette’s syndrome, from depression and anxiety to finding ways to embrace the idea of a new normal with a child being diagnosed on the spectrum. You could read more about her HERE.
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