By now you have heard of the benefits of slowing down, staying in the present, de-stressing, yet how do we fit this into our lives realistically? That is the question. Practice and committment, is the answer according to Maia Sirois, therapist and teacher at the Kripalu Center in Mass. Sirois speaks of slowing down in the free podcast available on itunes.
I took a listen yesterday –the podcast is under 15 minutes–and in the interview she notes: “The first most basic step to a life full of contentment and a sense of meaning is about slowing down, becoming still, and listening to one’s self.”
Yet the distractions of technology and life often get in the way, right? Well, of course. She notes proven pathways to slowing down come in a range of forms, including:
- meditation
- prayer
- sitting still and breathing or saying one word over and over
- silent regular walks
- journaling
- tai chi and other forms of calming martial arts
One of the most interesting things I found in this talk is that the “sessions” don’t have to be long. Just 3 to 5 minutes.
“It appears as if the practice itself is not as important as the daily experience of the practice,” she says, noting that it works if people become committed to regularly creating moments of stillness in their lives.
Sirois gives some tips:
- choose to engage in stillness each day
- stop multitasking
- create brief silent pockets of time in your day
- sit quietly or walk for a few minutes each day, several times a day if possible
- disconnect with technology
- shut the t.v off before bed and say a few soothing, positive words to yourself
Finally, she notes, that in finding stillness, your body and mind learn to want more which can have an overall long-term calming effect on you, which is healthier. Slowing down and being calm, Sirois sums up, spills over into your relationship and your health. Everything can improve.
Take a few minutes to check out the Kripalu Perspectives podcasts on itunes.
For more single parent news, tips, and musings see www.singleparentsavings.wordpress.com
