The Body Scan Meditation

When you're feeling anger, sad or afraid where do you physically feel it in your body? Sometimes we can feel it in our stomach as a knot or nausea, or we can feel tension in our shoulders, neck or face. We all feel our emotions in different ways yet WE ALL FEEL THEM. Emotions have a physical presence and its this presence that can alert us to the fact that we might need to do something about it.

Photo credit:www.austinmindfulness.org

The body scan meditation has been used successfully to help people become aware of where they feel what they are feeling. It's a gentle meditation that allows us to scan our entire body as we notice what's going on for us in each part. When we notice, we breathe and allow it to be. The simple act of allowing something to be, just as it is, releases the pressure and tension associated with it.

The Centre for Mindfulness Research in Bangor University have an excellent website that provides FREE guided meditations. The body scan is a great way for us to unwind before bed, especially if we are having trouble sleeping. If we take some time to do it everyday, it helps us to better tune into what's going on for us and better equips us with the awareness needed to respond to tricky emotions as they arise.

So, why not take some time to check in with yourself and see how you are feeling right now...

Bangor University FREE AUDIO