Since antiquity, numerous religious traditions and beliefs have practiced meditation, which is believed to help alleviate stress and improve our mental wellbeing.
Whilst for many of us the word ‘meditation’ might conjure the image of someone sitting on the floor chanting ‘OM’, it can in fact take on many different forms; such as movement meditation which could be attending a yoga class or taking a leisurely stroll through nature, or gratitude meditation, where we take some time in our day to appreciate the things we feel grateful for. The act of meditation itself works by quieting the mind by focusing on a sound, image or even a feeling.
Gratitude meditation is the practice of reflecting on all of the things in our lives that we’re grateful for, it’s all about experiencing that feeling of gratitude, whether it be for a friend, a beautiful sunny day or your morning cup of coffee.
Research has shown that the feeling of gratitude is strongly associated with a sense of happiness and wellbeing, and that counting our blessings can leave us feeling more optimistic.
One way to regularly take note of the things we appreciate is to keep a gratitude journal, this could even be in the notes section on your phone, where you can jot down the things and experiences you feel grateful for everyday. Practicing daily gratitude meditation and keeping a journal is shown to help reduce levels of stress and increase levels of happiness, as well as leaving us feeling more positive.
Why not practice our 5 minute gratitude meditation exercise to help you de-stress and leave you feeling more relaxed and optimistic.
- Turn off your phone and any distractions as you dedicate these 5 minutes to yourself and the things in life you feel grateful for.
- Focus on your breathing, taking a deep and even breath in and out until you begin to feel relaxed and focused. Breathe in gently for 5 seconds before exhaling for 5 seconds (some people might not be able to reach 5 seconds when they first begin).
- In this safe and relaxed state, begin to reflect on the things in your life you feel grateful for, such as a loved one, a compliment you received or a delicious meal you cooked.
- Visualise yourself saying ‘thank you’ to each of the things, people or experiences you are grateful for.
- When you are ready, open your eyes and give yourself a moment to adjust, before you take this feeling of gratitude with you throughout the rest of your day.
Introducing Our Free Downloadable At Home Wellness Toolkit
During times of anxiety and stress it is more important than ever to pay attention to both your mind and your body to maximise your wellness.
That is why we have put together our Free, 50-page Downloadable At Home Wellness Toolkit for you to take a look through, and find something that can help you relax and truly care for yourself. All you have to do is fill in the form below and the guide will be emailed to you! We made the guide with the intention of including something for everyone, so we hope that you find a section in there that helps you relax and destress in these trying times.