Meditating is one of the best ways to relieve stress, and it can be done almost anywhere at any time. Unfortunately, meditating when you need it most can be problematic because your mind is busy worrying about all of the things that cause you stress in your life. Here are a few tips for controlling your thoughts instead of letting them control you.
Put Away the Clock
It’s a common practice to set an alarm for five or 10 minutes to help you come out of your meditation. The key to doing this is to set a soothing sound for the alarm so you’re not startled when it goes off. However, when you feel particularly stressed, it’s better to trust your own internal clock. Set aside some extra time and let your body stay in that meditative state until you naturally come out of it.
Confront Your Biggest Worry
When you feel your mind racing around one specific problem or challenge, meditating can be the best way to come up with a solution. As you achieve a meditative state, pose a question about the concern that’s troubling you. Once you have the question in mind, let it go and let yourself fall deeper into meditation. Your mind will subconsciously work on the problem while you relax. By the time you come out of the meditative state, you may find that you’ve come up with a solution to your problem.
Skip the Coffee
Instead of using your coffee break to drink the caffeinated beverage, find a quiet place to meditate for five minutes. While it will take some discipline to break the habit, you’ll find that your mind is healthier for it. Caffeine is a stimulant that contributes to your stress levels. When you forgo the stimulant, the brief period of meditation will energize your mind without adding the tension that caffeine creates.
The important thing to remember is that meditation takes time to master like any other skill. While you may occasionally have trouble focusing your thoughts on the art of meditation, don’t give up. You will be able to settle your thoughts and benefit from the exercise. Spending more time meditating will also help you train your mind to relax on cue, making the meditative state easier to achieve.