We all need a break to refuel during the day. Here is a brief meditation you can do in five minutes to hit your reboot button. Reboot Meditation Take a few deep breaths and let go of any worries from the day. Picture your body seated or laying down where you are meditating. You are looking down on your physical body from above. Look at the room where you are seated and see your body below you. Now begin to rise up and away from your physical body. Rise through the ceiling and the roof, up into the sky. Continue to rise up until you see a large fluffy cloud above you. This cloud seems to shimmer and seem denser than the other clouds. Head for that cloud. Place your hands on the outside of the cloud and feel the warmth of the energy within. Also feel the peace and understanding this energy holds. Once you decide you are ready, you find that you are easily absorbed into the energy of this cloud. Feel the connection and calm within this cloud. Feel any remaining worries or concerns drift away as they have no meaning in this place. Allow yourself to feel refreshed and rejuvenated. This is like a deep cleansing that refuels you and allows you to begin the day anew. Bask in this feeling for as long as you need to. Relax and know that this place is always here for you to take a break during the day or to prepare for sleep. If you have a question you have been struggling with, you may ask it into the energy around you and see if you receive an answer. If you do not that is alright, but the answer may come to you soon as if from out of the blue. After you have become re-energized, leave the cloud and begin to drift back down to your physical body. Pass through the roof and ceiling into the room where you are meditating. Look down at your physical body and when you are ready, re-enter your body. You can now drift off to sleep or wiggle your fingers and toes, and open your eyes. This is a good time to eat or drink something to connect with your body. If you have time write down anything you learned from your experience to further solidify the information you were given. See how your attitude changes after taking this break. If you enjoy these meditations, join me for the 7-week Online Relaxation Workshop - Zenvigorate. You will receive weekly meditation recordings as well as other relaxation tools that really work! Hope to see you there. Jessica Cross
I have a theory about ASMR (What is ASMR? Click Here). I will preface this by saying I am not a Psychiatrist so my working knowledge of brain chemistry is rudimentary. But, I have done a lot of research on stress for the various stress reduction trainings I have taught over the years. You may know about "Fight or Flight" and how your body prepares to physically fight or run away in reaction to stress. Fewer people know of another response to stress called "Tend and Befriend." This is a reaction that is mostly attributed to women but I believe is also felt by many men. It is fueled by an increase in the hormone Oxytocin. Oxytocin is often called the "love hormone" and increases the behaviors that build relationships. In the case of stress it causes people to "Tend" to their families and their loved ones and "Befriend" by calling the people who support them to discuss the stressful issue. I feel Oxytocin may also be responsible for ASMR. Since ASMR is a very physical, rather than emotional feeling, there must be some chemical change happening in the body. The reason I believe Oxytocin may be involved is that I have also gotten ASMR when thinking about people I love. It has to be a very strong love reaction, like when I was first falling in love with my husband, when my son was first born and I would just look at him most of the day, or even now when my son is sleeping (and not ordering me around, he is 5...). The feeling I would get on the back of my head in these situations is exactly the same as what I get when I am listening to ASMR recordings that trigger me. One important component of ASMR for many people is personal attention. I think it is that sound of someone really appreciating and taking care of you that creates this reaction for me. It is the same way a really good friend or loved one will sit right next to you, hug or complement you and allow you to really feel seen. The fact that my brain can be tricked into this feeling by a recording created by someone I don't even know, still astounds me. I will not look a gift horse in the mouth though, as ASMR has allowed me to reduce my stress dramatically. Thank You, to all the talented ASMRtists who have given me the instant relaxation tool that has changed my life. I so appreciate you, and am glad to have actually befriended some of you! So here is my gift of relaxation to you. I hope you can feel appreciated and cared for while you relax.
