Life can be so hectic. You must work every weekday, and most of the time, you are surrounded by people. Unless you live in the mountains, you are typically always surrounded by people—in the grocery store, on the streets, at home with your family. If you are married, even sleeping is not spent alone—rather, cuddling your significant other until sleep comes. When is the last time you really sat down, took a deep breath, and looked within?

I personally think, sometimes looking within can be truly beneficial. Focus on your breathing and the way your body feels. Allow thoughts to come and go—don’t focus on any thought, or put energy into it, simply allow it to pass as quickly as it came. This is the releasing of built-up energy. Emotions are, simply put, energy. Emotions that you don’t address and release are held inside, which can, over time, disrupt your emotional wellbeing. If lately, you have been feeling angry, or depressed, meditation can help you pinpoint what it is making you feel this way. If you are willing to look within, recognize the “stuck” emotion, and intentionally release it with just your breathing, you can greatly improve your overall wellbeing.

Becoming more in-tune with yourself is good for your physical and emotional health. Being stressed out can take a tremendous toll on your physical health. Stress can cause high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, muscle spasms, etc. Maintaining a balanced emotional state can help prevent many health disorders caused by anxiety.

Find a quiet place to be alone and focus on who you are as an individual. Are you happy with your character? Are you doing anything that is no longer serving your greatest good? How could you be different in a positive way? What questions have you asked yourself that have yet to be answered? Maybe you know the answer, but you can’t face the truth, or the answer isn’t what you want to hear. The questions you have yet to truthfully address can be detrimental to you, both physically and mentally.

No matter how often I’ve asked myself these questions, there is always something I can change to become a better version of myself. The hardest part is not coming to terms with the answers to these questions. The hardest part is hearing the answer and then taking the correct steps to change your ways. I think we could all be better: someway, somehow.

“Do as I say, not as I do,” even as I type this advice to you, there are many improvements I need to make within myself. i.e. Be more humble, meditate more. However, I genuinely believe this guidance can help you lead a more positive, calm life.

 By: KayLynn