Try These Practices for Some Quick Relief.

I've been speaking about relief, the theme of this week's FREE group meditation and healing, and how my practices have become a big source of it for me over the years. That said, when I was in the early days of grief a few months ago, I was totally unable to sit down for my regular meditation and healing practices. My consistent twice-a-day practice went out the window in a matter of minutes. 
 

Letting it Fall Away

Thankfully, I'd had a teacher share not long before this time that it was normal, even expected, to be unable to keep up with our regular routines/habits/practices when we are inside of a painful moment or season of life. That little permission slip helped me let myself off the hook, knowing I was doing the best I could in the circumstances.
 

Relieve Suffering

However, I needed the support and relief of my practices more than ever. So I turned to some short and simple mindfulness exercises to help me get as present and grounded as possible. While no amount of mindfulness or healing practices can rid you of the inevitable pain of being alive (true bummer), using them to come back to the present can ease the level of suffering your pain is causing.
 

I am sharing a few of my favorite on-the-spot practices below. Whether you are in a place of deep pain and grief or just need some support for your daily stress and anxiety, I hope you find some relief with these practices. 
 

Quick and Easy Practices

Resource 

Take a few deep breaths into any tender or tight parts of the body. Now, find a part of your body that feels good or neutral. Maybe the palms of your hands, bottoms of your feet, or the tip of your nose. Bring all of your awareness to the sensations here. Is there buzzing, tingling, warmth, or pressure? What feels good/neutral about it? Let your mind and awareness rest in this place. Practice with me here.

Come to Your Senses

Take a deep breath to release any obvious tension in your body. Now, open up your senses to the space around you and name silently or out loud: 5 things you can see, 4 things you can feel, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, 1 thing you can taste. Practice with me here.

Find Your Feet

Take a deep breath and place your feet, or any body part, on the ground. Bring all of your awareness to the connection between the bottoms of your feet and the earth. Notice any sensations like pressure, tingling, or temperature at the point of connection. Feel into the support of the earth holding you up. Let the feelings of this support spread throughout your body.

Zoom Out

Notice whatever it is you are narrowed in on, a source of pain, an issue you are wrestling with, etc. First, zoom out with your physical gaze. Expand your awareness of sights and sounds beyond your immediate surroundings and into the distance. Now zoom out with your mind. Let yourself widen your view to the larger picture, putting this one moment into the context of the rest of your life and the world around you. 

I hope you'll join me on zoom Wednesday @ 5pm PT to soak up some more of the relief in my Group Meditation + Healing. Sign up here.