August 2020 Self-Care Challenge!

Vintage VFer · 08-01-20, 10:37 AM

Keep going with self-care! Anyone can join whenever!

I'm not doing so well with the meditating. I do a LOT of deep breathing as often as I think about it. That does have a calming effect.

Pat58 · 08-01-20, 10:41 AM

I fell off with meditation too, but I treated myself to a year of the NY Times puzzle page. I do want to get back to the meditation though.

Last night a band was giving a concert in the park near me. I can hear from my backyard so I gave myself time to just sit and enjoy the music and the sounds of people having fun. I drove by on the way home and everyone was properly distanced in their little groups. It was so nice to see some food trucks and hot dog carts and people sitting in lawn chairs on the grass. My mayor has a strict "Okay we'll try it in a limited fashion, you screw it up and I'm shutting it down again." Love him.

BunnyHop · 08-01-20, 10:44 AM

I've been struggling to meditate for a long time. I know it has benefits that I need, but somehow have trouble.

Lately, my workaround is to call it 'breathing exercises' instead. Several times a day I do four or five rounds of the 4-7-8 type breathing. It makes a huge difference in my anxiety level.

Still haven't managed to return to a seated meditation practice though.

Anybody else found useful workarounds for resistant minds? I need to get back in the fitness groove. (Finally quit the gym. Couldn't see that I'd feel safe on a treadmill any time soon.)

Vintage VFer · 08-01-20, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BunnyHop

...
Anybody else found useful workarounds for resistant minds? I need to get back in the fitness groove. (Finally quit the gym. Couldn't see that I'd feel safe on a treadmill any time soon.)

I saw this video today and found it inspiring and motivating. I'm going to start a thread about it:

Your DNA is not your destiny

https://www.bbc.co.uk/reel/video/p08...ial.link.email

Vintage VFer · 08-01-20, 11:15 AM

I now realize I ought to have started these in the "Challenges and Check-Ins" section. Oh well, maybe I'll remember next time...

Pat58 · 08-01-20, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vintage VFer

I now realize I ought to have started these in the "Challenges and Check-Ins" section. Oh well, maybe I'll remember next time...

That will be your first challenge for September.

DCW · 08-01-20, 09:00 PM

I did get in a late night walk and I picked up some more books from the library.

Vintage VFer · 08-02-20, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pat58

That will be your first challenge for September.

September is going to be extra challenging. I have an appt. to see about cataract surgery. Very anxious about that.

annette · 08-04-20, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BunnyHop

I've been struggling to meditate for a long time. I know it has benefits that I need, but somehow have trouble.

Lately, my workaround is to call it 'breathing exercises' instead. Several times a day I do four or five rounds of the 4-7-8 type breathing. It makes a huge difference in my anxiety level.

Still haven't managed to return to a seated meditation practice though.

Anybody else found useful workarounds for resistant minds? I need to get back in the fitness groove. (Finally quit the gym. Couldn't see that I'd feel safe on a treadmill any time soon.)

I agree about meditating and its benefits but like you struggle to make it happen. I SO need it though.

Even though I'm retired now and have time to do things I enjoy I find myself with too much time to think about unpleasant things and worry too much. My sister's husband took his life two years ago and she is struggling to come to terms with it and the way her life is now. She had been receiving counseling but quit so now I'm her sole support. We talk daily, sometimes for hours and it's beginning to wear me out. Not that I don't want to be there for her but I feel not qualified for what she needs. I've suggested she go back to counseling but she is resistant to suggestions her therapist made so doesn't want to.

Anyway, sorry for going on and on. I'm seriously going to make an effort to visit meditation again.

Demeris · 08-04-20, 09:20 AM

Many of the studies on the salutary effects of meditation included prayer, which is NOT a clearing of the mind but a calming of the thoughts and focusing on, in Christian prayer, God.

What the researchers have found is that any meditative practice—prayer, knitting, guided meditation, drawing, coloring, journaling, crochet, whittling — these all have the same physiological and psychological benefits.

I'm writing this for those of you who are struggling to find time to meditate. There are other activities that will bring about the same physical and emotional benefits as meditation, and you might turn to them with less resistance.

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08-01-20, 10:37 AM
Vintage VFer VF Supporter Join Date: Nov 2001	August 2020 Self-Care Challenge! Keep going with self-care! Anyone can join whenever! I'm not doing so well with the meditating. I do a LOT of deep breathing as often as I think about it. That does have a calming effect. __________________ Goal:250 / Done:91 POSTURE CHECK!

08-01-20, 10:41 AM
Pat58 VF Supporter Join Date: May 2002 Location: Connecticut	I fell off with meditation too, but I treated myself to a year of the NY Times puzzle page. I do want to get back to the meditation though. Last night a band was giving a concert in the park near me. I can hear from my backyard so I gave myself time to just sit and enjoy the music and the sounds of people having fun. I drove by on the way home and everyone was properly distanced in their little groups. It was so nice to see some food trucks and hot dog carts and people sitting in lawn chairs on the grass. My mayor has a strict "Okay we'll try it in a limited fashion, you screw it up and I'm shutting it down again." Love him.

08-01-20, 10:44 AM
BunnyHop Join Date: Nov 2008	I've been struggling to meditate for a long time. I know it has benefits that I need, but somehow have trouble. Lately, my workaround is to call it 'breathing exercises' instead. Several times a day I do four or five rounds of the 4-7-8 type breathing. It makes a huge difference in my anxiety level. Still haven't managed to return to a seated meditation practice though. Anybody else found useful workarounds for resistant minds? I need to get back in the fitness groove. (Finally quit the gym. Couldn't see that I'd feel safe on a treadmill any time soon.) __________________ Anna

08-01-20, 11:15 AM
Vintage VFer VF Supporter Join Date: Nov 2001	I now realize I ought to have started these in the "Challenges and Check-Ins" section. Oh well, maybe I'll remember next time... __________________ Goal:250 / Done:91 POSTURE CHECK!

08-01-20, 09:00 PM
DCW Registered User Join Date: Dec 2016	I did get in a late night walk and I picked up some more books from the library.

08-04-20, 09:20 AM
Demeris Join Date: Dec 2006	Many of the studies on the salutary effects of meditation included prayer, which is NOT a clearing of the mind but a calming of the thoughts and focusing on, in Christian prayer, God. What the researchers have found is that any meditative practice—prayer, knitting, guided meditation, drawing, coloring, journaling, crochet, whittling — these all have the same physiological and psychological benefits. I'm writing this for those of you who are struggling to find time to meditate. There are other activities that will bring about the same physical and emotional benefits as meditation, and you might turn to them with less resistance.