We live in a fast-paced world that seems to be getting faster with each passing moment. The internet continues to change and offer things, such as artificial intelligence, in ways we never imagined having at our fingertips.
However, people reach out to each other any time the mood strikes and, as we’ve seen over the last few years, those communications are not always pleasant. A nasty reply to our post on Facebook can set us off down the rabbit hole. Our busy lives, on or off social media can make it difficult to have time for ourselves.
Embracing stillness can help us gain back our peace of mind.
We can think of stillness in multiple ways. One way to think of it is as the word suggests. Don’t move. Merely reflect on the day’s activities in a quiet place, away from distractions. Done for extended periods, or in small increments of time, either will benefit us.
Some consider this to be a form of meditation. However, meditation is a more formalized set of techniques. It often takes people several tries to gain the benefits of meditation and some people give up because it seems hard. Stillness, by contrast, will deliver immediate benefits. Anyone can reflect on their day wherever they are.
Meditation can bring tremendous benefits to you! It can give you the peace of mind you seek. If you are a beginner, you might consider using guided meditation. There are many terrific ones on meditation apps, such as Insight Timer and Calm. Don’t worry about keeping your mind blank! That’s not what it’s made for. But when thoughts arise, just acknowledge them and come back to what you are focusing on, be it your breath, or a mindfulness exercise.
Sometimes, observing the stillness in nature can bring about significant benefits. For instance, if you are by a lake and the waves are calm, you can get lost in the moment and feel at peace. It’s the same effect as watching a beautiful sunset.
