Wellness: Meditations

MEDITATIONS for any mood

Whether you’re tired or wired, Dear Universe author Sarah Prout has a mantra for you

Harvard researchers estimate that 80 per cent of doctors’ visits are caused by stress. It’s also estimated that more than one in five American adults took medications for psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression in 2010. Stress is a silent killer, and this is why it’s so important to create regular self-care rituals in order to calm down, chill out, and remember that we have the power to guide our emotions. REMEMBER When you feel stressed, it’s a reminder that if you change your thoughts, you change your reality. On a physical level, stress in your body will result in illness because you’re producing a hormone called cortisol. This leads to weight gain, poor sleep, low sex drive, and the list goes on of things that you probably don’t want to manifest. A gentle approach to guiding your thoughts and emotions is the best solution. Make the journey out of your head and into your heart. Make yourself a cup of holy basil (tulsi) tea, which contains herbal adaptogens to relieve stress, and set aside time daily to meditate and connect with The Universe. MANTRA Dear Universe, I now release this energy of stress and replace it with self-compassion and trust that everything is taken care of in my life. I am now grounded in my heart space and reminded of the importance of self-care each and every day. So be it, so it is. FOR WHEN YOU’RE STRESSED

GISELE BÜNDCHEN

FOR WHEN YOU’RE TIRED I didn’t sleep for the first five years of my son’s life. Thomas would wake up every two hours. When he finally did start sleeping through the night, I gave birth to my daughter and the cycle began again. I was so tired, so very, very tired. We go through many different phases in our lives. In one phase we might feel very vibrant and energetic. In another, you could feel as exuberant as a flat tyre. The awareness of being tired is your soul calling you to get some rest. REMEMBER A power nap for 10 minutes can become your best friend. Self-care is extremely important when you feel burned-out and tired. Don’t try to mask the problem with caffeinated drinks; allow yourself to get some rest. Ask The Universe to recharge you with a sleeping meditation. MANTRA Dear Universe, I ask that I now be placed into a deep and restorative sleep. During that time I trust that my cells, my organs, my mind and my spirit are being energised and healed. May I wake up feeling fresh, revived and ready for the beauty of life. So be it, so it is.

RACHAEL FINCH

FOR WHEN YOU’RE WIRED Can’t sleep? Feeling restless? Too much coffee? Too much screen time before bed? When you’re struggling to relax, unwind and unplug, then it’s time to slow down and focus on getting out of your head and into feeling grounded in your body. It’s super-important to focus on your breath. REMEMBER Our breath is always a very helpful resource to check to see if we’re incredibly wired and hyper, or relaxing into the steady pace of each moment. If all else fails, try taking a hot bath or pouring yourself a nice glass of red wine. Try this meditation when you’re eager to defuse your haywire energy: MANTRA Dear Universe, may I now take a deep breath in and hold it. Upon exhaling, I release any frantic energy I am storing in my body. I inhale the energy of relaxation. I exhale wired energy and release it with love. Breathe in the full energy of awareness within the present moment. So be it, so it is.

Star Style WELLNESS

FOR WHEN YOU’RE DISTRACTED

Do you get easily distracted from what you’re meant to be doing? The average American spends 2.6 hours a day on their phone [with Aussies reported to spend 3.15 hours]! Over the course of your lifetime that’s a total of more than five years! It’s more time than you will spend eating and drinking. Attention spans are getting shorter because social media gives us endless feeds to scroll through. We’re exposed to thousands of chunks of useless information on a daily basis. No wonder we’re easily distracted! REMEMBER Your point of power is in your ability to be still and aware in the present moment. Challenge yourself to unplug for a little while each day. One of the biggest ways I’ve found to not get distracted and remember to focus on what’s important is to get my phone out of the bedroom. I replaced it with an old-school alarm clock. This helps to cultivate presence and start the day off with intention. If you find it hard to focus and you get easily distracted, try this: MANTRA Dear Universe, my energy is present in this moment. I am showing up fully to participate in the task at hand. My energy is grounded and purposeful. This is the essence of my soul’s mission. So be it, so it is.

VALENTINA ZELYAEVA

COMPILED BY AMBER BRAMBLE