5-Minute Guided Reflections To Reduce Stress And Anxiety

Welcome.

Find a comfortable seated position.

Close your eyes and take a deep breath in through your nose.

Hold it for a moment and then exhale slowly through your mouth.

Let go of any tension in your body as you settle into the present moment and start focusing on your breath.

Some famous Stoic philosophers used to say,

Grant me serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

Courage to change the things I can,

And wisdom to know the difference.

Identify what is within your control and what is not.

Understand that while you cannot control external events,

You can completely control how you respond to them.

Embrace the things you cannot change and focus your energy on what you can.

Take a moment to think about the billions of people around the world.

Acknowledge that everyone faces challenges and stress,

Just like you.

Consider that the events causing you stress are not unique to you.

They are part of a shared human experience.

Others have faced similar and sometimes even worse situations.

But luckily,

We are capable of overcoming everything with strength and serenity.

Now try to expand your awareness beyond yourself and the place where you are.

Visualize the vastness of the world with all its landscapes and the vastness of the universe with countless stars and galaxies.

Recognize that you are a small part of a much larger whole.

Feel the weight of your stress begin to diminish as you place it in perspective,

A universal perspective.

As we come nearly to the end of the meditation,

Shift your focus to the breath.

As we come nearly to the end of the meditation,

Shift your focus to gratitude.

Think of three things,

However small,

That you are grateful for in your life.

Let this feeling of gratitude fill you up and replace the stress you have been holding on to.

When you have the three things,

You can end up with a final deep breath.

Inhale through your nose,

Filling your lungs completely,

And then exhale slowly through your mouth,

Releasing any remaining tension.

When you are ready,

Gently open your eyes and return to the present moment.

Carry the insights and calmness from this meditation with you throughout your day.

Remember,

The power to change your perspective and find peace lies within you.

I wish you a nice rest of the day.

Namaste.