It's been a while since we've posted about coping with the perils of wedding planning. If you're jonesing for suggestions to help calm your frayed, pre-wedding nerves; check out our previous posts, otherwise read on for more advice.
The benefits of meditation reach far and wide. In studies, meditation has been shown to decrease stress, decrease cholesterol levels, increase mental clarity and function, and decrease levels of depression. According to the Transcendental Meditation (TM) group, there have been over 600 studies conducted showing the myriad of benefits meditation can bring.
You don't have to be Buddhist or affiliated with any religion to meditate. It is a universal practice that can be catered to any person's beliefs. I know your thinking, "But I don't have time to meditate and I don't know how and…" You're thinking of a million reasons why you can't or shouldn't do it. And according to meditation experts--that's exactly why you should. Meditation can help calm your racing mind and soothe the mounting stress as your wedding "to-do" list continues to grow.
So I set out to find a simple and short meditation technique to share with you. If you want to learn more advanced techniques, I leave you to do your own research, find a teacher or a good book. But for those of you who would like to get started right away, here is a really easy exercise you can do for as little as five minutes.
Try This:
Find a comfortable seat in a private place away from all distraction (lock yourself in the bathroom if needed). Close your eyes and pay attention to your breath. Breathe in through your nose. Place your hand on your belly. Notice your belly rise as you inhale. Exhale through your nose and feel your belly collapse. Continue breathing deeply, paying attention to the rise and fall of your diaphragm. Allow any thoughts to pass through your mind. Let your thoughts remind you to bring your attention to your breath once again. Continue this for 5-20 minutes.
Start out meditating for five minutes a day and see how you feel. You can also practice paying attention to your breathing while in your car, standing in line at the grocery store, or at work. This is a great way to clear your mind and refocus when you're feeling frazzled with all of the details of wedding planning or any other overwhelming issue.
Remember: this whole wedding thing is supposed to be fun! So make sure you take some time-out for yourself to renew and recharge!
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