Morning Mindfulness For OCD And Anxiety

Do you wake up feeling stressed with OCD, intrusive thoughts or anxiety? If so, this practice is for you. A short morning meditation to help centre yourself before the day begins. You'll be guided to connect with your breath and observe thoughts and feelings without judgement - allowing it all to be there, just like having a radio on in the background while you get on with your day. As someone who has personally experienced the debilitating struggles of OCD and anxiety, I created this practice to help create some inner space, so we can practice responding with care rather than reacting with judgement to our inner experiences. From this mindful presence, healing can begin.

Transcript

This is your morning meditation for OCD and anxiety. So in the mornings, Our cortisol levels are higher, That's our stress hormone. Which can sometimes mean that we have a really busy mind. Sometimes the thoughts are really strong, Feelings are really intense, And so in this mindfulness practice we're going to create some space. Instead of fighting or pushing away the thoughts and the feelings and judging them. We'll see if we can soften. Because all of the judging, Trying to get rid of the thoughts, Creates more tension. And when there's more tension, The thoughts feel like they're a threat. And so this mindfulness practice will invite you to observe, Allow. . . And rewire our brains to safety. So wherever you are, I invite you to get comfortable and take a few deep breaths in. Letting go. Closing your eyes if that feels good, Or you can just lower your gaze to the floor. Inviting you to observe your breath. In and out. Noticing the breath in. Noticing the breath out. Inviting you to notice the mind, The thoughts. And they could be really busy. So just noticing that. Wow, My mind is really busy. There's lots going on. And instead of getting caught up in the thoughts, I'd imagine the thoughts, It's like a radio. A radio that's on in the background. While this radio is on and the thoughts are on. You can get on with your day, You can do what you need to do. You can allow the radio to just be on. Allow the thoughts to just be there. And coming back to your breath. Noticing the breath. The breath is a constant companion. It's always there for you whenever you need it. Throughout your day if the thoughts become really busy, Really intense. Come back to the breath. Noticing the inhale. Noticing the exhale feeling the sensations of the breathing. Maybe it's warm, It's cool. It's light, Deep. And as you try to pay attention to the breath, Your mind might get carried away in thoughts. There might be intrusive thoughts that seem really intense. Very distressing. See if you can allow them to be there like a radio on in the background. And coming back to the breath. Observing your body sitting here, Noticing where the body makes contact with the surface beneath you. Observing any feelings that you might be having and seeing if you can allow the feelings to be there too. Just like a radio on in the background. Each time we've noticed the mind wander and we come back to the breath, This is a mindful moment and it will build your meditation muscle over practice. And so inviting you as we come to the end of this practice to offer yourself some kindness, Some gratitude for taking this time for yourself. Making any stretches and movements that feel good. Opening your eyes when you're ready.