The key to being calm and grounded is living in the present. As humans, we have this incredible ability to remember the past, and imagine our future. However this can be to our detriment at times! So how do we bring our mind into the now, in order to stay calm and peaceful?
Letting go of the past
Many of my Reiki clients are coming to me struggling with letting go of the past. By holding onto what was, they are ruminating on their memories and thoughts, and this can cause them to slowly slide into sadness and depression. But this is like driving a car, always looking in the review mirror! There is a reason why the review mirror is so small and the windscreen so big. By shifting our focus to what is right here in front of us, we can start to consciously direct our attention to the things that are happening now.
Letting go of the future
In addition, many of my Reiki clients are also expending a lot of energy and time worrying about the future! Their mind is constantly going over the ‘what-ifs’ of what is to come. But worrying about the future is causing them fear, stress and anxiety. By shifting focus into the present moment, we can start to release the fear around the things that may or may not happen. That way we begin to acknowledge where we are at right now in the present moment.
Strategies for shifting focus into the present
If you are feeling super overwhelmed at any moment in time, something I like to do is simply take a deep breath and look around the room. Start to name the things in the room you can see and their colour, out loud. For example, ‘blue cushion, grey couch, white windowsill, blue blanket’, etc. By naming items and their colours, it starts to shift your focus out of past and future, and into the now.
Breathing into your body
Another great strategy is to simply place your hands on your body and take some conscious deep breaths. I like to place one hand on my heart and one hand on my belly. Then close your eyes and breathe deeply, feeling your belly and chest rise and fall with every slow breath underneath your hands. This helps to not only slow down your breathing, but you also start to use the full capacity of your lungs. When we are stressed, anxious or depressed, we only tend to breath shallowly, into the top third of the lungs. By breathing slowly and deeply, you will also tap into your parasympathetic nervous system (responsible for relaxing your body). You will start to feel more calm in no time.
Reiki healing to bring about calm
If you’re still feeling anxious, stressed or depressed and finding it hard to let go of the past or future, book in for a Reiki healing. Reiki is incredible for bringing you into the present moment, and for releasing tension and increasing your ability to relax. To book in for a Reiki healing, click here, and I look forward to seeing you soon!