Meditation
Sep 27, 2017
If you're a working mom, I admire you. Juggling family and career is a challenge.
Managing your to do list and getting everyone fed is a huge accomplishment.
Not to mention finding to take care of yourself.
Meditation can help you to be more efficient and content while you navigate being a girl boss and a mommy.
It can
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help you make peace with your working mom status
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improve your productivity
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transform your satisfaction with life
Whether you're a working mom or not, it’s inevitable that you’ll encounter stress at some point.
Stress affects everything from your hormones to your microbiome balance to your digestion. It can take a huge toll on your satisfaction and productivity.
Especially on a day like this...
You wake with the kids at 5 am, get everyone ready, head to work, stop to pick up a grab bag gift for the party tonight, rush into client meetings and instead of eating lunch you surf the web for a party outfit.
It is no mystery that at 4 pm you can’t focus!
Even if this isn't your scenario, distractions are everywhere. Particularly as a result of technology. (It's okay, you can admit that tick you've developed of checking your phone constantly.)
MEDITATION HELPS YOU FOCUS
Having a single focus on whatever you need to do is essential! It plays a huge role in your ability to be productive and your performance at work and at home.
Studies have shown that meditation can help you with concentration.
One study at the University of Washington Seattle, showed HR workers in a meditation training course were more focused than those who took a relaxation training course instead.
AND, those workers who meditated also had a less negative attitude towards work. Pretty amazing stuff, right?
Another study showed improved attention in only four days of meditation.
Meditation helps to train your brain to focus on one thing at a time.
Whatever you're working on - planning a presentation or planning the weekly menu - is better if you practice meditation.
Improved concentration means you’re able to get things done more efficiently. (And that gives you time for a mani pedi.)
MEDITATION HELPS YOU MAKE DECISIONS
So many daily decisions to make! So many distractions that need your time and attention. You multitask. A lot.
You're not using your full brain power to assess the current decision.
Meditation can help you filter out the noise and stay engaged to execute with brilliance!
MEDITATION CAN ENHANCE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS
Personality differences or conflicting opinions can create some challenges - in the office and the bedroom.
To be happy you need to to maintain healthy relationships with employees, co workers, family and friends.
You'll be more tuned into others if you can be more aware of your own thoughts and feelings. This leads to more positive interactions - a huge benefit of meditation.
Being more aware of what’s going on around you in the present moment is a great skill. It helps avoid misunderstandings that lead to unnecessary conflicts.
SO HOW DO I GET STARTED?
I’ve heard so many clients admit that mindfulness meditation feels intimidating to them.
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How am I supposed to start?
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How long do I need to meditate for?
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What should I think about?
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What is it supposed to feel like?
I get it. When most people think of meditation, they imagine a peaceful Yogi spending long periods of time in silence, in bliss.
In reality, meditation is a practice. It definitely requires some regularity to progress.
It is a shift from our normal thinking mode, beta brain waves, to a different state, alpha brain waves. Focus on slowing things down.
START SMALL
Meditation requires some discipline and training so I always recommend starting small. If all you can fit in is 3-5 minutes every day, start there.
- Notice what your brain is doing. Sit and watch your thoughts as an observer. Focus on the simple in and out of your breath. Remember, you are slowing things down.
- Keep returning to the breath. If you start thinking about what you’re making for dinner, or a work project you need to get done, don’t stress. Bring your attention back to your breathing.
- Let yourself get a little bored. Beneath the boredom is the benefit. The magic, the gold. It's worth the practice.
- The key is consistency and letting your experience be whatever it is, without giving up.
It will become easier and easier to be in the moment. That’s why meditation is a practice! It takes some time to retrain your brain.
Your meditation practice can help you be more focused and productive. It will help you enjoy life more, improve your concentration and stress manage stress.
