If the festive period conjures up stress and nightmares of last minute christmas shopping and turkeys too big to fit in your oven then we have a lovely gift for you...
A beautifully simple meditation exercise from Sarah at Quiet Mind Meditation, relax and enjoy...
Smiling. Sometimes relaxation can be that simple.
During the busy festive season, when we are especially time poor and constantly assaulted by noise, demands and traffic, we can experience stress both mentally (becoming anxious or easily irritated) and physically (from sore shoulders, tummy upsets and headaches).
We also frown a lot .. holding our stress right across our face.
So my Christmas meditation suggestion is to .. Smile.
Bringing (and gently holding) a half-smile on the face has been a traditional mindfulness practice for thousands of years. If you look at the many statues and images of the Buddha you will notice the sweet half-smile .. eyes closed, body relaxed, and a gentle (perhaps sneaky) smile at the lips.
Modern psychology confirms that there are positive effects to be gained from smiling. Research on facial expressions and emotions found that when you make the facial expression of a particular emotion (ie. happiness) you will actually feel some of that emotion. Even if you don’t truly feel like smiling .. holding that gentle half-smile will help stimulate positive emotions and purposefully attract peacefulness.
So this week, if you start to feel irritated or annoyed by the competing demands of the festive season, the racing around or the long list of chores still to cross off .. try connecting with your half-smile.
• Soften your face.
• Imagine your brow and forehead as broad and smooth.
• Notice your eyebrows relaxing.
• Feel the breath moving gently at your nostrils.
• Breathing in peacefulness .. and breathing out any stress or negativity.
• Then slowly allow your lips to turn up (ever so slightly) into a smile.
• Holding that half-smile both externally and internally.
Remember that your body communicates with your mind .. and your mind communicates with your body.
Namaste and Merry Christmas.
Sarah
Quiet Mind Meditation
www.quietmind.com.au
Read more of Sarah's articles including;
