Hi All!
Here is your weekly collection of tips & tricks to keep you on top of things, this week with an emphasis on emotional well-being.
1. Our thoughts and moods are closely interconnected.
Research shows that the average person has 6,200 thoughts per day. Whenever a thought crosses our mind— good, bad, or neutral—there’s a mood attached to it. If you tell yourself, “I’m a failure,” you will probably feel sad. When you are aware of your thoughts, you see how they are influencing your mood, which in return allows you to take corrective action.
2. Label how you feel, and you’ll become more self-aware of your moods.
To improve how you feel, it is helpful to identify and label the moods you are experiencing. There are a variety of moods you may experience, and at times, they can be difficult to name. With practice, however, you can label your moods and improve how you feel.
Your Weekly Digest: Meditation Duration
Besides building awareness for your thoughts and labeling your moods, meditation can also have a profound impact on your emotional well-being. In this week’s article, “How Long Should I Meditate? 8 Quick Tips to Achieve Results,” I answer the most common questions that arise when people practice meditation.
One question you might ask yourself is how long you should meditate. What’s the perfect meditation duration? Is it 5, 10, or maybe 20 minutes? The answer to that question is a disappointing, “It depends.”
If you consider yourself to be a seasoned meditator, you might find that your sweet spot is around 20 minutes. If you’re new, start with just 2 minutes per day. You are more likely to practice for a couple of minutes than you are to sit down for a painful, half-hour session.
The key to a successful mindfulness practice is not to strain yourself and meditate until you’re uncomfortable, but to keep it light. Keep it below the point where it feels like work, and you’ll find that your mood will take care of itself.
Until next week,
Mike van der Poel
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