Meditation - do you do it? Does it help?

[CatalogueOnVinylFlooring]

Classic tale - busy brain, can't switch off, always thinking or planning something. I feel like I need to slow myself down and meditation/mindfulness seems a good place to start. But I'm shit at it. Does anyone do it successfully and does it help? If so, any tips?!

Yes, I started a couple of years ago, I’m mid forties.
Helps immensely, just had a lovely Christmas rather than one I found stressful, def down to slowing mind and staying in the moment.

Really recommend the audio book below.
Eight week course that only takes around ten minutes a day.

Mindfulness : A Practical Guide to Finding Peace in A Frantic World.

I do it for a minute or two, sometimes only as I go to sleep and sometimes several times a day. Used to do a fuller version, and recommend it, but here's my two-minute helper for now.

argh! Failed upload 😬 [breathes]

Two-minute helper ...

I've meditated for years, there are many ways you can do it.

I think there's a perception you have to just sit in silence to meditate but I think that's quite challenging if you're new to it. I always think it's best to start with guided meditations, there's usually an anchor such as breathing exercises. Or you could try a sound bath which puts you in a meditative state. Any breathing where you extend your exhale compared to your inhale will engage your parasympathetic nervous system and help you to feel more relaxed.

If you are uncomfortable you'll never be able to focus so make sure you aren't in a position you can't sustain.

You will have thoughts. It's quite impossible for most of us to have a blank mind. Try to let them go gently, not attach to them.

It's also all just practice. It's a skill that takes years to cultivate.

A few years ago, I went through a period of anxiety due to a family situation. I’d never really experienced anxiety/stress before and so didn’t really grasp what it was . I suddenly became anxious about things I hadn’t previously eg flying etc, trains. Basically things where I wasn’t in control. I started Headpsace mindfulness ( it was free at the time) and it was great. I flew to the US with multiple internal flights when there and the whole time was just listening to the app and I was fine. I had been to my GP and they had prescribed me diazepam to help with the flying but I didn’t need it and meditating sorted me out. It got to the point where I didn’t need it anymore but occasionally if I ever feel stressed or recognise-trigger points then I dip back in. It really works for me. And I was surprised as had always considered it a bit hippy/ wishy washy.