Relaxation or Meditation help

[DameMargaretofChalfont]

I'm wondering if anyone can recommend me a good meditation/relaxation app or website that I can use at home just to try and unwind at the end of a busy working day.

I'm in my mid 50s and have a professional full time job which seems to occupy my thoughts 24/7.
I also have grown up children and an elderly widowed mother who all still have a strong draw on my emotions and time.

What I'm looking for is a way that I can spend 15 minutes a day, on my own, just trying to clear the clutter that seems to occupy my mind.

I've tried several apps but I just can't seem to focus properly - eg when the app tells me to clear my mind of all intrusive thoughts I may as well put up a bloody big sign saying "ALL INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS ARE WELCOME HERE" because as soon as I try to clear my mind I'm completely overwhelmed with additional thoughts/stresses!!!!!

Has anyone found a successful way to mentally relax and refresh your mind on a regular basis?

I am a meditation teacher and its perfectly normal for thoughts to come and go. But it is about finding the right medition/s that can help you to be at peace with sitting with whatever comes up. And peace and stillness will come. But not all the time. Letting go of the goal of clearing the mind will help. Just sitting with your breath and watching thoughts come and thoughts go is a good practice. But the breath can be your anchor.
This is meditation. 🙂
I find Insight timer a great app. Its free or you can pay to get extra features. You can access thousands of different meditations or set a timer with bell sounds if you want to do a personal practice.
Enjoy

Thank you yogima.

I've downloaded that app and will certainly give it a go - I love the fact that you mention "peace and stillness" in your reply. That is really the goal that I have in mind. If I can learn to give myself that peace and stillness (even if it's only for a short period of time) then I have something to build on.

Thank you

You're very welcome.

It may also be worth finding a group near you. Even dropping in once a month and meditating with others can be so helpful.

I am a similar age and in a similar situation to you so can really relate to the need for some respite at the end of a day.I have used Finding Peace in a Frantic World by Mark Williams and its an 8 week programme. I found it on You Tube and found the meditations really useful.I think you can also get a book or diwnload it.They build up over the weeks and this helped me to learn to settle and relax more than anything I have tried before. Am going to look at Insight now as that sounds great too.
Good Luck x

I started meditating a few years ago using this book.

I read it all first, then started doing the 8 minute meditations twice a day.
HTH

I'm trying out the calm app at the moment - it has nature sounds, meditation tracks and calming stories. Seems expensive for the paid version but there are a few free samples and a 7 day trial. Might be worth an explore to see what works for you.

Haha, need, snap!

Has anyone tried Headspace?

Yes, I use it. It was a present, the yearly subscription is quite dear.

Thank you for all your replies.

I've downloaded Insight Timer onto my phone and listened to a couple of 5 minute meditation programmes. One was just a poem called "She let go" but the way it was read was really soothing and calming.

I'm going to try and do a couple of sessions every day (even if it's only 5 minutes at a time) and see if I can support myself in allowing myself to de-stress and become less rushed/anxious.

I Looove She Let Go. I often read it at the end of a yoga class.