Through this article I would like to explore some very basic methods
that can be used to relieve tension, stress, and depression, as well
as sharpen intuition, clear the mind, & increase energy. These
methods can be used by anyone to help restore a general sense of well-
being.
***As with all material of this nature it is not intended to diagnose
or cure any illness. Conditions requiring medical attention should be
treated properly through conventional channels. Please use
discretion.***

All beings require equality. There must be a balance between the
spiritual, emotional, and physical being. When the balance is off, we
are off. We feel the repercussions through physical pain, discomfort,
anxiety, anger, and depression. When we go to the doctor to seek
pills for physical ailments, typically we are focusing treatment on
the symptoms and not the underlying problem. Again, I am not
discouraging anyone from going to the doctor, however most doctors
would agree that a well-balanced person tends to be a healthier
person. Nothing that improves the outlook and helps reduce stress can
hurt you.

There are various natural methods that can be used by anyone in even
the busiest lifestyles, to help restore a sense of balance. I will be
touching on the basics of:


*Light Meditation
*Visualization
*Affirmations
*Journaling

Meditation:

There are many misconceptions about meditation. Many feel it takes a
lot of time or that it is a serious religious practice. It definitely
does not have to be and is one of the most powerful tools anyone can
integrate into their lifestyles. It takes a little effort, but the
rewards are immeasurable. The truth is even a moment or two a couple
of times a day will allow the mind a chance to regroup. This is
particularly helpful for those who suffer from anxiety or problems
with short-term memory.

Meditation is the practice of stilling the mind, and controlling
where ones thoughts flow. Through doing this you can gain a better
perspective on situations in your life, as well as become clearer and
more focused throughout your daily activities. There are dozens of
other benefits to this practice as well, which I cover more in some
of my classes.

For beginning meditations I recommend sitting in a comfortable
position in a location as free from outside noise as possible. Close
the eyes and simply focus on clearing your mind of all conscious
thought. If this is difficult you can repeat a word that makes you
feel comfortable and at ease. My word is "repose". If you catch your
mind starting to wander gently pull it back to your word or to the
stillness. When you first start try doing this for only a minute or
two, and then as you do it more you can increase the time. This helps
to avoid frustration and will help you stick with it. If you are
patient and persistent, you will find that the benefits are well
worth the effort. Your mind will thank you for the break.

Visualizations:


Next I would like to move on to Visualizations. All of us know how to
daydream. The truth is when you daydream you are doing a
visualization of sorts. You are removing the conscious mind from all
the hustle and bustle of its thoughts and placing it somewhere else.
In visualization exercises the purpose is to control where you put
your thoughts. It can be used to aid in pain relief, depression, (I
am seasonally depressed and use visualization therapy a lot to help
me get through winter) and in anxiety reduction.

Bring into vision in your minds eye a place that relaxes you, a place
that is all your own. It can be an actual place you have been to, or
a place you create. This will be your sanctuary.

Picture the place in your mind. Now go deeper into the picture. What
do you see? Look for the details of your special place. What is the
temperature like? If you are outside, how is the weather? What do you
hear? What do you smell? Reach out and touch the ground or the floor,
what does it feel like? Touch; hear, smell everything here.

Spend a minute or two exploring your senses and familiarizing
yourself with this special place. Really develop this place to the
tiniest details. If it helps you, write a description of it. It is
very important to bring it to life in your mind in a way you can
always go back to it and see it in its fullest details and unique
beauty. This place is the center of your soul, a sanctuary for you
where you can relax and be free from everyday worries.

Affirmations:

Next I would like to cover affirmations. Affirmations are brief,
positive statements developed to help us to reprogram certain parts
of our subconscious. We have all heard that inner critic kick in
with " You're not pretty enough, you're not smart enough" etc. This
can be a very powerful voice and the more negative thoughts we have
the more we feed it.

Many people are not aware of just how much negativity they consume,
self-inflicted or otherwise. I recommend keeping a pen and paper
close to you for one hour. During this hour be conscious of your
thoughts, as well as external influences. For every negative
statement you take in, make a mark on your paper. Once this exercise
is finished multiply the number of marks on your page by at least 16,
which will give you a small idea of the amount of negativity you are
continually bombarded with.

One of the most powerful tools to use against this ingrained
negativity is to reprogram our thought patterns. Our subconscious
minds don't care what they are programmed with, negative or positive.
When you hear something enough you start to believe it and those
negative thoughts can become self-fulfilling prophecies. Our goal
here is to fight fire with fire so to speak, and come back at the
negatives with positives, almost like reprogramming a computer.

An affirmation should have the following qualities:

Must be brief
Must be concise
Must not have the word no in it or any negative connotations
Must be easy to remember
Must be repeated

An example of a good simple affirmation would be I have all I need
and I am thankful, or I love myself unconditionally.

As a general rule I say to keep the same affirmation going for at
least a week. Learn to say it with conviction. Pay attention to what
you are saying every time you repeat it. When you have a few minutes
to yourself go look in the mirror and say it to yourself and mean it!
Yes, you will tell yourself you look silly, that's OK, do it anyway.
The more you do the less silly you will feel and the more empowered
you become. When we face ourselves we find our true strength!

Journaling:


I cannot say enough how much writing helps. There are many different
ways to do this, and the best method is to find your own method - one
that is comfortable to you, as this is a very intense, very personal
experience. When you first start just write/type whatever comes into
your head, no matter how silly it might seem. This is the key to
unlock the floodgates. Gradually as you get into it and time
progresses you will open many doors of self-discovery, and through
this begin to regain your balance.

To develop a habit of writing set up a 5 15 minute period in your
day where you sit and write. You can make this a part of your
nighttime ritual, or do it first thing in the morning when all is
quiet.

With a little self-discipline and practice you can make yourself a
happier more balanced person through just a few simple practices. I
know from personal experience that taking time for the Self is so
vital to personal empowerment and wellness. It is easy to get so
involved in our "roles" that we forget to remember our true Spirit.
Take some time for yourself and get to know your own best friend,
he/She has been right there with you all along.

**********
Christin Snyder is a Spiritual Guidance and Personal Empowerment
coach who offers a wide variety of Spiritual and Personal Growth
Resources through her websites http://www.dailypowerwords.com &
http://www.MysticalTreasures.net