Reflecting on Stress

Last week I wrote about the importance of meditation in working with my unhelpful thoughts and how it supports me in gently guiding myself back into my heart where I feel grounded and strong.

This week, I have reflected further on my meditation practice, and I realise that I have been stressed over the past few months.  Consequently, I have committed less time to my meditation practice, and the side effects of this are an increase in my hot flushes and disturbed sleep. It has reminded me that meditation is not a luxury but an essential aspect of my self-care. To take time (whatever pressing external demands are on my list of things to do) and space to breathe and connect with my body is a way of connecting with my stress and acknowledging that I am asking a lot of it at this time in my life.

“Once more, meditation has shown me that it is a habit I cannot afford to skip. It helps keep me centred in my heart and connected to a sense of well-being.”

Rachel Podger

When I began my mindfulness training, I learnt about the impact of unhealthy stress on the body. A decrease, or worse still, a drop in healthy habits and lack of participation in things I enjoy and know are good for me, is a sign that it’s time to stop and regroup.

Once more, meditation has shown me that it is a habit I cannot afford to skip. It helps keep me centred in my heart and connected to a sense of well-being that decreases my unhealthy stress levels and increases my ability to enjoy life. Today, I feel gratitude for my hot flushes, however uncomfortable they are at the time; they have shown me that I needed to stop and take a little longer to meditate and reconnect to my life.