AIBU to ask how meditation has made you feel?

[FollowYourOwnNorthStar]

I have restless, overthinking mind. Over the last year work and social/family life obligations have increased to the point where I frequently feel like I have too many thoughts in my head and I want to spend the weekend by myself, allowing me time to kinda process them all and regain a sense of self, before starting the next weeks onslaught. (This is a new feeling for me, but I notice it has built up to this over the last three or so years).

So - I thought meditation might help, and maybe mean I deal with this stuff better on a day to day basis, and might help me feel less like hibernating by the time I reach the weekend. I have bought the Headspace app, and am 2 days into trying it. I realise this is not a short term fix, and results won’t happen overnight.

But, I thought I could ask, has anyone been in the same position as me, and if so, did meditation help? My sister suggested (today) exercise as another good head-clearer, would that be better?

Following as I would like to know as well. I did try it but I was so bored and restless. Maybe I'm doing it wrong.

I have tried to do meditation at home and couldn’t settle and focus and didn’t get anything out of it. I did take part in a short guided meditation in the pagan (none woo) group that I attend and it was brilliant. Felt so calm and relaxed afterwards and had a lovely dream when I went to bed that night.

At home, I just keep thinking about all the cleaning and jobs that need doing

That my fear - that it’ll all be for nothing and in 30 days (or whatever 8 decide is a good enough “trial” to see results) I’ll be no better off, and further down the track of being fed up and anti social!

What sort of meditation are you doing? Are you following a guided meditation audio recording?

The Headspace app. It’s guided, but has long periods of silence too. No music etc.

I like Headspace. I go through phases of using it more and less. But when I force myself to sit down and do it I always feel better afterwards. Even if my mind is quite busy, just sitting and trying to meditate seems to help. Sometimes I feel so restless and fidgety when I'm doing it, so I just let myself have a moment to fidget then bring my attention back.

Exercise is good too though. It doesn't have to be either/or. Both can be beneficial for mental health :)

It does help but you do need to keep at it. Try simply concentrating on your breath, and returning to that when you realise you've drifted off into thinking about shopping lists or whatever. Ten minutes twice a day, and build up when you feel ready. no need to go for a long session. And posture really matters, more than you'd think!

i Think that long periods of silence can be a bit challenging when you’re just starting. I listen to The Honest Guys as they fill in a lot of the time.

Also - and I might be hopelessly wrong here - but I think the way you process information can change what you need. I’m a kinaesthetic thinker, so I love the ones that involve using more than just thinking of images.

I went to a weekly Buddhist meditation group. Very peaceful and undemanding. I learnt simple techniques which can be quietly used in everyday situations.
Archchancellor - yes, one does need to keep up a regular practice. Meditation isn't in any way a quick fix.

I'm 40 days ish into doing headspace and it took about a week for me to start feeling better after doing it. Sometimes it's easy to sit and do, sometimes it's hard. I think it has made a positive difference to me, but it's been combined with gentle exercise 3 times a week, and other things too.

Google "mental health 5 a day" to see some of the other stuff that might help too.

There's also something about patterns of thoughts and how they influence your moods. Headspace helps with that, but it's not CBT or counselling. If you're anxious enough that it's stopping you from doing things then consider one of those options too.

It can work really well but is quite hard work in the beginning so agree with other posters who say you have to do it for a while , I did a teacher led mindfulness based stress reduction (mbsr) course as I knew I'd actually do it if I had to go to someone and had to do my homework, it was an amazing course (felt busy for the eight weeks of the course but worth t afterwards)

It is something you have to keep up as well. Sometimes I do mindfulness courses for children and there is a noticeable difference between the ones who come to the weekly sessions and do nothing else and the ones who come and then try out various activities during the week (often supported by family members or teachers etc)

If you can afford It definitely look into group/course (if this is your thing)

Meditation can be hard to master, but stick with it! It has so many benefits. There's a good free app that I use called insight timer. There are absolutely loads of meditations on there - lots of different forms, so something for everyone. Some I find a bit but others have helped me a lot. I particularly like a poem called 'she let go' I sometimes listen to that on the way home from the school run (I know that's not strictly meditation)

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the feedback. I will keep going for 30 days and see how I feel st the end of that (not expecting to be ‘cured’ but hopefully will be feeling/seeing results myself then and motivate to continue to see more).

ThanksArchchancellorsHat* for the timing and posture tips. I will make a note!

And thanks OMGtwins for the other tips, I will google.