Meditation For Anxiety

Chris, thank you for sharing your experience with meditation. It’s taking me a while to easily drop into the meditation zone. I hope I get to that point. My anxiety has been with me for so long — I’m really good at that!! I realize I need to exercise some patience here, but am confident that I’m doing something good for myself by meditating.

I don’t do well with meditation. It actually increased my anxiety. I’ll give it another try at a later date.

@sears It's okay to not feel comfortable with meditation. Sometimes it takes time to get your mind accustomed to a new way of "just being". There are many forms of meditation. Even simply walking quietly and mindfully can be considered meditation. Good for you for trying again in the near future! I would like to hear what you decide to do and how it all works out for you!
Ginger

I used to meditate successfully for years to help with anxiety/ocd.. I agree, it can change your life. I remember once describing it to other ppl like I felt like I was always on vacation.. that feeling you get right before you have your breakfast the morning of your vacation flight to Jamaica. Lol.. meditation for me slowed things down.. I felt as thought I could see things coming at me in slow motion and had the time to react appropriately. I miss that feeling. If I sit and meditate now, after a few days I get irritable and short fused.. it’s weird.. tried 2-3 times and this always happens.. something needs to come out I guess.. my favourite was the bodyscan.. for 30mins.. loved it..

@cp6401 That is an interesting observation about your meditation practice. I am curious what prompted you to stop meditating, and have you thought about trying another meditation technique? This time of year, especially, it is beneficial to have a measure of control in your responses to stressors!
Ginger

Thanks for the reply ginger
I’ve toyed with the idea of trying it again.. I used to love the way it made me feel after awhile of doing it ..and to your point, I’ve also wondered about other approaches. Like transcendental meditation.. the idea of keeping the brain busy with a mantra while the rest of the mind relaxes and recovers is intriguing.. but I’ve read that ppl think it’s evil etc.. I’m not the most religious person, I have my beliefs.. but I heard you had to get a mantra from a guru etc .. bah.. and ooommmm never really worked for me. I’m quite confused right now about religion to be honest.. as a family I talk to my kids about bedtime.. the power of intention etc..the wife also has her beliefs, but doesn’t practice, I also have a sister who is into other worldly things.. I don’t know.. my ocd makes it worse. I feel like I’m religiously confused lol..perhaps this is all tied in together somehow..

@cp6401 There is always a lot to sort out when faced with a dilemma. Perhaps taking five minutes to sit quietly, listening to your breathing, emptying your mind, will help you relax. Years ago, someone told me that almost any activity can be considered a meditation, when done mindfully. Walking around the block, being "present" for example, or drawing a picture/doodle and losing yourself in it. Be gentle on yourself; be patient and it will be clear when you're ready. I hope you will find what works for you, and let us know.
Ginger

That is very true.. mindful eating even.. I’ve taken several courses on it... perhaps I’ll give it another shot. .. having said this I genuinely feel like my Effexor is just making things worse.. it’s a real battle you never know what the real problem is. Thanks for your kind words

Thanks for the reply ginger
I’ve toyed with the idea of trying it again.. I used to love the way it made me feel after awhile of doing it ..and to your point, I’ve also wondered about other approaches. Like transcendental meditation.. the idea of keeping the brain busy with a mantra while the rest of the mind relaxes and recovers is intriguing.. but I’ve read that ppl think it’s evil etc.. I’m not the most religious person, I have my beliefs.. but I heard you had to get a mantra from a guru etc .. bah.. and ooommmm never really worked for me. I’m quite confused right now about religion to be honest.. as a family I talk to my kids about bedtime.. the power of intention etc..the wife also has her beliefs, but doesn’t practice, I also have a sister who is into other worldly things.. I don’t know.. my ocd makes it worse. I feel like I’m religiously confused lol..perhaps this is all tied in together somehow..

I used to meditate successfully for years to help with anxiety/ocd.. I agree, it can change your life. I remember once describing it to other ppl like I felt like I was always on vacation.. that feeling you get right before you have your breakfast the morning of your vacation flight to Jamaica. Lol.. meditation for me slowed things down.. I felt as thought I could see things coming at me in slow motion and had the time to react appropriately. I miss that feeling. If I sit and meditate now, after a few days I get irritable and short fused.. it’s weird.. tried 2-3 times and this always happens.. something needs to come out I guess.. my favourite was the bodyscan.. for 30mins.. loved it..