A Mind at Rest is a Mind at Best

It always impresses me how much women do; be it the CEO I am interviewing or my girlfriend at home raising her children, women intuitively take on the world. We take it all on with heart, and maybe a tad of neurosis at times-which can only be expected when we’re striving to be the perfect partner, friend, daughter and nurturer…while we’re managing our home, work, diets, and yes wardrobes too.

Toss in there all the technological advancements, devices, apps and social whatevers that promise to make our lives more convenient because they enable us to do and consume more efficiently… I am guilty of falling asleep with my iPhone a few times a week.

Add to that pressure the voice in our minds, with us day-in and day-out, judging and critiquing how good we’re doing all of it! I mean, who does she think she is?

When my “do” quota exceeds its limit, I remember that I have the best resource available to me at all times that is not only easy, but also free: I take a meditation break. When you feel the stress building in your mind or body-take a 5 or 10 minute break for some breathing focused exercises and trust that resting your mind is an investment in your productivity, health and happiness.

Quick 5 minute meditation that you can do anywhere – taught to me by Susanna Harwood Rubin: Find a quiet place to sit (crossing legs is optional). Close your eyes, turn all your attention and thinking to your breathing. Take a deep inhale for 4 seconds and then exhale slowly for 16 seconds. Repeat this exercise for 5 minutes.

And if you really want to master resting your mind, pick up the below book recommended to me by life coach Mimi Duvall.

 

Turning the Mind into an Ally
Sakyong Mipham

“Using the breath as our object of meditation is very good because the air moving in and out allows us to have some kind of steadiness in contrast with our discursiveness. It allows us to relax. That is the virtue of the breathing. Through placing our mind on this process, we relax our whole being. Tensions begin to dissolve. The breathing soothes the mind and allows it to rest. As our thoughts slow down and we settle into ourselves, the division between mind and body lessens. We start to feel our heart beating. We sense the flow of our blood. We can almost feel our bones. We become a whole being, with a synchronized body and mind.”