Whenever you're starting to feel overwhelmed,
This exercise can help remind you of your strength and give you an emotional reset.
Begin by finding a comfortable seated position,
Gently close your eyes and take a few deep breaths in through your nose and exhaling out through your mouth.
Allow any tension to melt away with each breath you take.
Imagine a piece of string is lifting you up from the crown of your head.
Feel your spine lengthen.
Now take some slow and mindful breaths,
Breathing in and breathing out.
Breathing in and breathing out.
Now starting to feel the weight of the body.
Starting to notice the points of contact of the feet or the heels and legs on the floor.
Allow yourself to step out of doing mode.
Letting the outside world drift away.
The next few minutes are just for you.
Bring your focus back to the breath.
Focus on the feeling of your belly rising with each inhale and falling with each exhale.
Continue to watch the breath in and watch the breath out.
See if you can release any tension you are holding onto on each exhale.
Relax your jaw.
Let your shoulders drop.
Soften your belly and sink deeper into your chair or cushion.
In this visualization meditation,
If you struggle to visualize anything I am asking you to,
Please know that intention is enough.
Now I would like you to visualize a mountain standing right in front of you.
It looms above you,
Proud and tall.
It's grounded to the earth,
Strong and immovable.
No matter what conditions life throws at it,
The mountain remains.
Now imagine you are just like that mountain,
Strong,
Resilient,
Rooted to the earth and ready to weather any storm that life throws.
And now picture a storm surrounding you.
Maybe there's rain,
Snow,
A fierce wind.
Whatever you choose to visualize,
It's okay.
Continue to take slow,
Mindful breaths.
And as you inhale,
Silently repeat the phrase,
I am strong.
And as you exhale,
Silently repeat the phrase,
And I can weather the storm.
I am strong.
And I can weather the storm.
I am strong.
And I can weather the storm.
Keep going,
Repeating the phrases silently to yourself.
Now imagine that storm that you are picturing clearing.
The rain has stopped.
The fierce winds,
They are gone.
Above you,
The clouds are parting and you can see beams of sunlight peeking through.
You feel a deep sense of peace.
Everything is peaceful.
The air is crisp and fresh.
The sun is warming the mountain.
The sun is warming you.
Take a few more deep,
Peaceful,
Cleansing breaths.
And then gently bring your awareness back to your body.
Slowly wiggle the fingers and wiggle the toes.
Before you open the eyes,
Place the hands gently over the heart,
And take with you the mantra,
I am strong,
And I can weather the storm.
Now gently open your eyes.
Give yourself a moment to come back to the room.
And then when you're ready,
Take this feeling into the rest of your body.
Take this feeling into the rest of your day.