The notes for this post have been in my phone for over two years because I wanted to share these tips, though this is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Sara Lee®.
Exercise. Healthier eating. Drinking more water. Getting more sleep.
These are all things that we know we need to do to live a healthier life.
But another thing we can try is meditation.
I know, I know, that sounds like it’s hard and maybe a little too far out there for the average person, but I’ve learned that it’s actually a lot easier than it sounds and you don’t have to be some sort of “enlightened” person to be able to do it.
A few years ago, I took a class called “How to Sit on Your A@% and Do Nothing,” which was a beginner’s guide to meditation. It’s where I learned that anyone can do it. I’ll share what I learned in that class.
I learned that you can ask questions about it or read books about meditation, but the bottom line is that you have to do it. Our instructor said that you don’t have to be “interested in that Buddah crap,” but that people tend to come to meditation when there is something they can no longer turn away from.
And also that meditation can suck at first, but it does work, you just have to sit down, shut up, and show up.
Meditation is not to stop your thoughts because the only way to stop your thoughts is to no longer be among the living. It’s more about letting your thoughts happen.
As you meditate, the volume of your thoughts will be turned down.
You might have heard that meditation is a dropping away of yourself, but instead, it’s about becoming more you. About making friends with yourself. Being fully you because the more you are you, the more people around you can be them, too.
It’s not about becoming less neurotic but becoming fully neurotic and letting yourself have a place to do it.
There’s no such thing as enlightenment, so don’t meditate trying to reach it. Instead, maintain your curiosity. Ask questions, don’t just whine. Allow your thoughts to come in. If you’re sad, welcome the sadness, figure out where it’s coming from. You aren’t meditating to become a happy bliss monkey. That’s crap. But there can be an ease in whatever you are feeling, even if it’s not shiny happy.
It’s b.s. that everything is going to be fine. Don’t lie to yourself. Yell the truth that not everything is great.
Don’t buy into everything being “love and light.” That will break your heart because it’s not reality.
Let everything come in because you’re only postponing emotion if you run away from it. Screwed-up-ed-ness is a part of us.
Let the earth support your body and sit as if your head is supporting the sky. Ignore control. Allow your thoughts to be and they’ll calm down. Let your thoughts wander(and for goodness sake, put down your smartphone and sit facing a wall so you won’t be distracted by what you see in the room).
Just a few minutes of day of meditation is a great step towards a healthy transformation.
What changes are you making to live a healthier life? Share your healthy transformation in the Sara Lee Delightful Person contest. Everyone who enters will get a free t-shirt, with the overall winner receiving $4500, and the 45 finalists receiving free bread for a year, an iPod shuffle, workout gear, and more. Enter the Sara Lee Delightful Person contest here.
In case you’re wondering why it’s called the Delightful Person contest, it has to do with Sara Lee® Delightful Breads, which provide delicious taste and delightful texture with 45 calories per full-size slice.
New flavor Oatmeal joins the current line which includes 100% Whole Wheat (made with real honey), Healthy Multi-Grain and Wheat.
The Delightful breads are all heart-healthy and provide an excellent source of fiber in each serving (2 slices), with no artificial colors or flavors, and no high fructose corn syrup.
Sara Lee® Delightful can be paired with your choice of spread (jam, peanut butter, hummus or soft spreadable cheese); enjoyed with your favorite lunch meats for the perfect sandwich; or used in some of your favorite recipes including French toast, bread pudding, strata, panini and more. I’ve used it to make a chicken Caesar salad sandwich for lunch every day this week.
Be sure to enter the Sara Lee Delightful Person contest, try Sara Lee® Delightful Breads, and tell me:
Have you ever tried meditation?
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Sara Lee®.
I have a lot of trouble relaxing, so no I have not tried it. I don’t know if you’ve met anyone from Boston before, but we don’t know know to stop…..lol.
While I can do without the Sara Lee, I notice a SIGNIFICANT betterment about myself if I can focus on meditation . . . even just 20-30 seconds a day can really produce marvelous results in my mental well-being.
I have been trying to eat healthier and exercise. I will have to give meditation a try. I can always use a new way to relax.
Cutting back bread calories is fantastic! Love how easy Sara Lee makes this for us
I’ve never really tried meditation like that. I do sometimes like to take time on my train commute home to just look out the window and let my mind wander….
Meditation is important to overall well being, and no it’s not all love and light, but it will help get you there eventually! 🙂
I’ve done this and it definitely helps! I get a burst of energy from meditating, it’s like cooling off my brain and releasing the pressure.
Cake + meditation = a wonderful combo! Sara Lee has delicious cakes. Thanks for the meditation tips.
Meditation is really helpful when I am feeling overwhelmed. It definitely makes me feel better.
I find it very difficult to meditate. When everything gets quite, I just start thinking about all the work I have to do.
Finding peace and relaxing isn’t easy for me. So I need to try meditation I think. I’ve never really looked into it, but this post has me wondering if it would help me out any!
I haven’t tried meditation before, but it sounds like a great way to really tap into your thoughts and emotions. There are quiet times during my yoga class, and maybe that’s kind of a form of meditation with all the relaxing and breathing?
I am an extremely high strung person. My husband has suggested meditation to me. I would love to give it a go.
I have always wanted to try meditation, but never figured out how to go about it. This bread, on the other hand, I am all about, all the time. 😉
I do this before bed. I don’t get a big enlightment. i am just able to sort my day and put it away for a period.
I love Sara Lee and it’s very hard for me to relax. How to Sit on Your A@% and Do Nothing would also go for me.
I think any kind of meditation is great for the soul, mind and body. I think if we all took a step back form our computers and TVs and meditated every day, we would be happier people. Thanks for the tips.
I have been eating this Sara Lee bread and it isn’t bad. It fits right in with a healthy way of living.
I love yoga so try to incorporate a little meditation after my morning stretches. It helps set the tone for my day. I found out recently about a free guided meditation week through One Mind Live that starts on Dec 24th. I will be out of town for most of it, but I plan to check out a few of them at least. Thanks for posting!
This article was quite interesting. It reminded me of the days when I was trying to meditate. And that is when I was a child. I thought it was kinda funny at that time, since I could see myself as talking to some invisible person who gave me more power to acquire whatever I was trying to do. Well, what can I say-? I should do this again. It’s been a while since I last did it. xD
I feel like I would not even know how to meditate. There are always a million things running through my head.
I have tried mediation in the past. I am not very consistent with it. I need to get back to trying it as maybe it will help me with some of the stress and anxiety I have.
Self care is one of my goals for the new year for sure. HOping to squeeze in mediation and yoga!
I love meditating. It’s such a simple way to recharge and get through the day. Especially when stressed. Awareness of self and breath is so important but is often something we often don’t pay attention to. Thanks for the link to your post 😉
I do meditate! And I teach my patients who to as well, I use guided imagery with them and let them keep the recording on their phone to meditate any place!
I have recently started meditating and I have personally noticed the impact it has had on my well being and stress level. Thanks for sharing this awesome post!