Lately I've been meditating for about 15-20 minutes before I get out of bed for the day. I spend most of that time consciously taking deep inhalations and exhalations. It's amazing how much it calms and awakens me. The more I do it, the more it's becoming part of who I am.
For example, if I find myself stressed, anxious or triggered throughout any part of my day, my first instinct is to focus on my breath, to the air filtering my lungs, filling my body with vitality and vigor, and allowing the oxygen to slow down my thoughts. I remember in these moments that I always have a choice of how I will go about my day and how I will interpret every moment. When my thoughts get ahead of me and into an imagined future that does not yet exist, the awareness of my breath brings me back into the present, to what is real for me right now. It makes me present, awake and conscious; it fills me with my innate wisdom.
Can you incorporate this practice into your way of life this week? Can you wake up slightly earlier to sit comfortably in a quiet space, close your eyes and spend five to ten minutes (or more) just on your breath? I usually use the mantra on the inhale, "I am love" and on the exhale, "I am light." You can do whatever you'd like, but bringing your thoughts back to one main focus is the point here, while allowing your breath to lead the way. If you could do this before bed as well, and at any other point throughout the day that you can remember, you'll notice how much conscious breath work affects your mindset and overall demeanor.
It's okay if other thoughts find their way back into your mind, you can loving send them away and bring your focus back into the present, to your breath. It's not so much about being "perfect" and having a clear mind, it's always bringing your thoughts back into what you'd like to focus on. This is how you retrain your mind to be more useful to you, rather than feeling like you're two separate entities. This way, you can be more in alignment with the magnificence of your mind so it works with you, rather than against you, or what we interpret as against us.
Have you tried this before? Do you practice any calming habits to aid an overactive mind? Do you let yourself the time to simply be and breathe?
Let me know how you're doing. I'll be sharing this journey with you. Sending love.