Do you like being by the sea? I do and find it very relaxing to watch the waves coming in to the shore and out again. Many years ago a colleague of mine who had studied self-hypnosis taught me this simple beach mini meditation and I found it so useful that I have been telling it to my clients ever since.
Whether you are feeling revved up because you are getting irritated or overwhelmed because you have too much going on around you and you need to take a little mental time out, this self-hypnosis technique can quickly nix the adrenaline that is flooding your body and making your thoughts race.
It can also help calm down feelings of anxiety if you do it before you go into a stressful situation such as a test, interview, when public speaking or undergoing a dentist or medical procedure.
Some of my clients wake up in the morning feeling anxious and this meditation is a great way to calm down the adrenaline rush and start the day feeling calm.
Basically, it is helpful for any situation that is causing you to feel anxious, overwhelmed or stressed.
So How Do I Do The Waves Mini Meditation?
Close your eyes and imagine that there is a movie screen in your head, just behind your eyes. Picture yourself on that screen standing on a beach looking out at the water, your toes in the warm sand and the sunshine on your back.
You can picture a real beach that you loved visiting in the past or one that you conjure up from your imagination. It doesn’t really matter as long as it is a place you are feeling warm and relaxed in.
Now see yourself standing or sitting on the shore and you are watch the waves coming in towards you and out again. The froth of the wave crests then falls as it rolls into the sand.
Starting at 10 and counting backwards, count the rolls of the waves, breathing in slowly through your nose as the wave crests, and then slowly out of your mouth as the wave rolls back out and disappears.
10 – you breathe in slowly as the wave comes towards you and out as it rolls back to sea.
Now do the same counting 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 with each number you breathe in as the wave comes in, breathe out as it rolls back to sea.
By the time you have counted backwards from 10 to 1 you will feel very relaxed.
So Why Does This Meditation Work?
By focusing on a relaxing picture in your head you block out the thoughts that were causing you to feel stressed, overwhelmed or irritated. The slow rhythmic breathing as you count the waves in and out cuts down the adrenaline that is fueling your stress.
Practice this when you are alone with your eyes shut and soon you can do it by picturing the waves in your mind with your eyes open. This is very useful when you are in a situation that you are finding stressful but cannot leave. Just picture the waves inside your mind’s eye and breathe!
To find out more about coping with anxiety and worrying download my free booklet Simple Steps To Overcome Anxiety & Worrying use the sign up form below the book.
When clients first come in to see me, the main concerns that come up again and again are:
- How can I feel less stressed, angry and overwhelmed?
- What should I do if I feel panicky?
- How can I stop worrying about everything: my children, partner, friends, work, my “to do” list….
So I put together a booklet with some strategies I am always giving to my clients to help them begin to feel less anxiety and to worry less.
I hope that you will find it helpful too.
Add your first name and email address in the box below and you will be sent the steps to download your FREE book.
If after reading my blog posts or booklet you feel ready to start working on reducing your anxiety but need support, I can help you overcome worrying in one-on-one individual counseling sessions.
In a supportive environment with a therapist who has over 20 years experience you can learn how to reduce worrying by:
- Learning a variety of relaxation and breathing strategies which can help you reduce your overall levels of stress and help you face anxiety-provoking situations.
- Explore why you are experiencing anxiety as well as learning how to distinguish between worries that require your attention and worries that are unnecessary.
- Learning skills to manage anxious thoughts and to tackle fears that may have been holding you back.While all your worries won’t disappear, you will be given strategies to manage them better and tools to reduce the impact they have on your life.
If you feel anxiety is standing in the way of you leading the life you want to, call me on 847 791-7722 or via the email form at the contact page.
If you have any questions, or would like to set up an appointment to work with me and learn how to reduce anxiety, please contact me at 847 791-7722 or on the form below.
If you would like to read more about me and my areas of specialty, please visit Dr. Sarah Allen Bio.
Dr. Allen’s professional license only allows her to work with clients who live in IL & FL & the UK and unfortunately does not allow her to give personalized advice via email to people who are not her clients.
Dr. Allen sees clients in person in her Northbrook, IL office or remotely via video or phone.
What Can I Read That Helps Me While I Am Waiting For My First Appointment With Sarah?
Download this free booklet to gain valuable insights and practical strategies for managing anxiety and worrying.
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