Many times relaxation is simply a shift in mindset. Yet for something so apparently simple, it can take a lifetime to master. Remaining dedicated to meditation can be difficult at times, but is well worth the endeavor. I've written down a few personal tips for achieving a relaxation mindset quickly – for those of us who can't spend days contemplating life on a mountain top.
Yes, I know you're busy
It's important to stop making excuses to put off relaxation. No matter how many meetings crowd your schedule, no matter how long your to-do list gets, you can still take time to achieve peace and focus. I created Zen Sticks to illustrate this point: a relaxation meditation mindset can be achieved in minutes.
Let go for just a moment
This deceptively simple piece of advice can change your life. Yet for some of us, pulling away can be difficult. You may feel urgency driving you to complete tasks, or you may be addicted to your job. Caring for 300-pound tigers every day fills my life with joy, but also adds a healthy dose of stress. Your mind needs moments of silence to balance the rush of the workday. Make the choice to let go.
Daily discipline doesn't mean hours
I'm not suggesting you spend hours floating in an isolation chamber, although that might sound heavenly in the middle of a busy day. Instead, focus on achieving a relaxation meditation mindset in whatever time you have, even if that's only minutes a day.
Take time for yourself every day
The secret lies in the discipline, making meditation part of your daily routine and part of your thought process until it truly becomes a way of life. Find a time that works for you, and dedicate it to relaxation meditation. It might be on your lunch break, in the morning, or just after work.
Reminding yourself of what matters
My Zen Stick serves as a physical embodiment of this discipline. Find a relaxation meditation tool that works for you, preferably something that engages your senses. For me, it's much easier to remember relaxation when I'm tracing beautiful hardwood grains in my olive wood Zen Stick.
It awakens my sense of wonder, effectively pulling me out of the "go-hurry-go" mindset. When I throw the stick, my body relaxes into to the rhythm of that action. For those of you trapped at a desk all day, this can help you re-align your body and mind.
Calm in the midst of the storm
When the pressure builds, train yourself to respond from a mindset of peace. Through the day, when stressful situations arise and I catch myself nervously fidgeting, I take that as a cue and pull out my Zen Stick to meditate. It won't be easy at first, but you'll build patterns that will lead to greater relaxation and lower stress as you continue to meditate.
By having this unchanging discipline, relaxation meditation can be effortless on low-stress days, and you'll have the tools to weather difficult times with grace. Oftentimes, just the dedication to relaxation can help deepen your meditation. Renew your commitment every day as you prepare to meditate.
About the Author
Achieve relaxation meditation in moments with a Zen Stick or visit
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Laurie Desjardins is a meditation expert and creator of the Zen Stick relaxation meditation tool. If you want to truly align your mind, body and spirit, consider adding the Zen Stick to your relaxation repertoire.
