Calming Body Scan Meditation
by Eve Lewis
We hold stress in our bodies, which can often manifest as tightness and tension, sometimes even causing pain and discomfort. This 30-minute guided body scan helps you reconnect with your body, increasing awareness of physical sensations and emotional states. By paying attention to each region of the body, you learn to notice and release tension as you go. Gently observing sensations as they are, without trying to change them, helps to cultivate a sense of acceptance and reduces the tendency to resist or react negatively towards discomfort. Focusing on the body in this way helps shift the nervous system from a stressed, “fight-or-flight” state to a relaxed, “rest-and-digest” mode, promoting calm and reducing stress. There is no right or wrong way to feel, and it's okay if you don't feel immediately relaxed. It's OK if you feel sleepy; if you find that you keep falling asleep, try sitting up instead of lying down. It's also OK if your mind is busy; gently return your focus.
