5 minute meditation

Life gets real when you’re an adult. Shit happens.

We’re guessing you’ve heard about a little thing called ‘mindfulness’. It’s that thing you’re told you should do because it’s important for keeping your sanity in check and blah blah blah, but does anyone actually know what the eff it is and how you achieve it?

So we called-on the help of our friend Jacqui at The Broad Place to tell us how we can zen-out in a hurry when we’re stressed-up to our eyeballs. It’s called meditation, folks, and FYI it’s not only for Tibetan monks or stressed-out housewives with too much time and not enough valium.

This 5 minute meditation is for the girl on the go – who’s running late, checking Instagram instead of emails while juggling a 3/4 latte and scoffing-down a croissant.

You can literally do it anywhere – at your desk, in the car, on the bus or (our personal favourite) when your boss is talking at you with stuff that’s all carefactor = zero.

All you’ve gotta do it sit back and relax to the max. Easy.

1. Sit somewhere. Don’t stress over trying to find the ‘perfect’ spot with zero noise or people. Stress less is the aim of the game people. Just make sure you’re comfortable, with your back resting against something and your head free.

2. Don’t try to be too serious or overthink it. ‘This is not a stillness competition. So if you need to shift about, scratch or sniff, do so!’ Jacqui says.

3. Breathe. Focus on your breath as you breathe in deeply.

4. Release. Pinpoint any tension in your body and let it go. For example, shoulders are usually a hot spot.

5. As you breathe, start to focus on different parts of your body – starting with your face, then moving on to your neck, your shoulders, your arms, your hands, your torso, your legs and then your feet. Don’t beat yourself up if your mind wanders. It’s bound to happen. Just let it go, and then bring it back to the present moment.

6. Then bring your attention to your whole body, and take 5 deep slow breaths.

7. Come back to your normal breath, and just chill for a moment, taking-in how you feel.

Ta da! That’s it. Once you’ve nailed it, aim to build up to 15 minutes for the ultimate bliss hit.

By Carmen Hamilton.