Self-study
I've actually gotten better at managing my anxiety, however, any time I try meditation I can never focus hard or long enough. I always get too distracted, too bored, too side-tracked, etc. I know I'm making excuses, but I have really really tried to no avail. Can anyone help?
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17 comments
I can second the advice for Simple Habit. The voices are much more pleasant and peaceful on that app. The voices on Calm are like nails on a chalkboard for me. As well, that is great advice from @jyarmo54 for Yoga Nidra. You can actually do Yoga Nidra any time for relaxation and calming. Youtube has some great videos for this.
I second the Headspace app recommendation, there is a good one for Focus that has helped me a ton. Also I think being sure to get good rest and deep relaxation on your off time is also key to keeping the test stress at bay. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this Insight Timer night meditation to get to a good deep sleep: https://insighttimer.com/jenniferpiercy/guided-meditations/yoga-nidra-for-sleep.
i prefer headspace over the calm app. but the calm app has a lot of free content and a beautiful interface. the headspace narrator voice is way more soothing imo. you just have to force yourself to do it. start out by meditating for 3 minutes. if you try to go 30 minutes as a beginner, you're almost guaranteed to get annoyed. eventually 10-15 minutes is sufficient enough for me. i also love kickboxing!
do you have insomnia?
Hi there, have you tried guided meditations or reiki? Youtbe has a bunch of them. You can do this, I believe in you and you'll do great!!
Have a great weekend! :smile:
Download the Insight Timer app. There are tons of great ones! One of my favorites is "Believe in Yourself" by Stressfit. He literally tells you that you can do anything because you're amazing.
Honest Meditation by Jason Headley on YouTube, if you love cursing and real talk.
the calm app - good luck
If you are looking for an alternative to meditation, I really recommend vigorous exercise. I can relate to being high anxiety and high stress and brazilian jiu jitsu has helped me be more "in the moment".
P.S. LOVE Johnny Karate!!!!!!! #lilsebastianforever
Name of song?
The prayer is pretty peaceful and my Grandpa used to sing it in choir. Beautiful song as well.
Another angle to approaching rest and peace.
Prayer of Saint Francis
Lord make me an instrument of your peace
Where there is hatred let me sow love
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith
Where there is despair, hope
Where there is darkness, light
And where there is sadness, joy
O divine master grant that I may
not so much seek to be consoled as to console
to be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love
For it is in giving that we receive
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned
And it's in dying that we are born to eternal life
Amen
I like headspace. They have a huge variety of meditations and some of them are only 3 minutes. I think no matter what you use, try to meditate at least once daily to really get in the habit. That's helped me clear my mind a lot lately.
I really love Simple Habit. They have a Before an Exam meditation that I used today before a PT and it was super helpful. They also have specific anxiety meditations, and study break meditations. I much prefer guided meditation over silent (or nature noise) meditation because I get distracted unless there's someone walking me through the whole thing
There are many different resources, but I would just recommend sitting and focusing on your breath for 5 minutes. If 5 minutes is too long, try three minutes. Carve out some quiet time when you can just sit.
I think many 7Sages use Headspace (http://headspace.com) or Calm (https://www.calm.com). I use Calm and it seems to be working pretty well for me.
Someone recently recommended 10% Happier to me and it's good:
http://www.10percenthappier.com/
I find some of the YouTube videos with relaxing music and guided meditations to be helpful, also, if you can’t clear your mind, just concentrate on your breathing and try to focus on that. I’m trying to get better too, I hope you find something that works for you!
yin yoga