When you ask someone how he or she is doing, one of the most common responses you will hear is, “Busy!” In America we run non-stop from one thing to the next with little to no downtime to relax and unwind. We are like hamsters running on a wheel that never stops.
In a world full of things that need to be done, do you take time to be quiet and silent during the day? Or are you so quick to jump into tasks, assignments, and activities that you are off and running before you realize it?
Over the last year, I heard from many different people that meditation was the most impactful addition to their daily routines. There are numbers of books about morning habits and routines of successful individuals. One of the consistent themes for their mornings is meditation or a mindfulness practice. When quarantine started back in March, I added meditation to my morning routine since I do not have to commute. It has been a game-changer for me and my productivity.
Every morning I spend time in a guided meditation focused on breathing and controlling my mind from running to the random thoughts and tasks I have coming up during the day. Most of the time is spent solely in silence where I focus on my breath while thinking about nothing. I am learning to bring my thoughts back to what I am focusing on instead of running with distractions, like mindless sitting or scrolling through my phone. Meditation has transformed by mind and productivity through 10-15 minutes every morning.
Taking to time to sit still for 10 minutes will make a greater impact than the 10 minutes you spend working or running around. 10 minutes can impact the other 950 minutes of your day. 10 minutes of stillness prepares you for a day full of intensity, fire drills, and left turns. Taking a moment to prepare your mind for the day by sitting in silence is not wasted, it is actually beneficial.
Your mind is arguably the most important part of your body. A study at Washington University found that while the brain only accounts for 2% of your body’s weight, it uses 20% of your body’s energy. You know the importance of exercising and eating healthy for your overall well-being, but most people don’t realize how important it is to prepare one’s mind.
Take the time to center your mind, be still, and empty your brain of worries and thoughts this week. Take control of your mind before it starts running in a thousand different directions.
I use the Calm app, but there are many great options to choose from. You can look up videos on YouTube, pray, or even just sit in silence.
Take the time to be still this week.
I appreciate you.
-JP