How Meditation Can Help You Rest
Are you giving yourself enough time to rest? It turns out that sleep is just one part of getting the rest you need. If you’re like many people, you have a busy life and are always doing something, even when you’re resting. You are either in motion, listening or watching something. That means that, even in your downtime, your mind is still working.
Being busy all the time can make you feel exhausted on every level, but there’s a way to help you feel a bit more energized. Take just five minutes to rest your mind through meditation. This simple habit can help you reset like nothing else. It turns out that by taking five to 15 minutes to meditate — to simply sit still without engaging actively in any activity or thought — you can reduce your stress, boost your memory, increase your ability to focus, and help yourself make better decisions.
Here’s how you can start a meditation practice:
- Find a peaceful place to sit: Find a place that feels quiet and doesn’t have big distractions. This could be your car, an empty break room, or a room at home.
- Set a timer: Set a timer for five to 15 minutes. Once you’ve set your timer, avoid looking at the clock and getting lost in the moment.
- Focus on your breath: Breath in and out. Notice the feeling of your breath moving in and out of your lungs.
- Return to your breath: If your mind is wandering, don’t stress. Just return your concentration to the feeling of your breath.
- Gently return back to reality: When your timer has gone off, open your eyes and begin to refocus on reality. Notice what your eyes are seeing and your ears are hearing as you begin to look around you.
- Assess: Ask yourself how you feel now that you have taken a moment to pause.
Questions
- How could taking time for a mental rest help you at work and in your personal life?
- When was the last time you took a moment to be completely still?
- What activity makes you feel most calm and rested?
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