HOW TO MEDITATE WITHOUT LEAVING YOUR DESK - INSTANT RESULTS!
“Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one.”
In his latest book, Happy Mind, Happy Life, Dr Rangan Chatterjee explains that more often than not, stress-related health problems can be solved by making a few simple lifestyle changes. This is becoming a common prognosis among the medical community and many doctors are now prescribing happiness-inducing activities before dishing out the Prozac. Regular meditation, along with mindfulness practice is high on the list.
Another increasingly popular idea is to visit an art gallery. Studies have shown that spending just 35 minutes in one can significantly lower cortisol levels and decrease blood pressure. But what if access to a quiet place and works of art are impossible between responding to emails or eating your lunch ‘al desko’? Well, now there is a way to experience the benefits of both art and meditation at the same time, all without leaving your desk or putting away your smartphone. I recently launched Art For The Soul TV, YouTube’s first visual meditation channel.
There are few activities which allow us to engage both sides of our brain the same time. Meditation is one and looking at art is another.
With Art For The Soul TV, I have combined the two to supercharge the effect. It’s a place you can escape to when you need a few minutes of calm but can’t get away from the office (home or otherwise) or for when you just need to stop scrolling for a bit.
Viewing art with intention (a mental exercise known as ‘slow-looking’) takes you off auto-pilot and brings your awareness in to the present moment. This specific technique can be used in times of heightened stress or anxiety as it de-excites your nervous system and can alleviate physical symptoms such as a racing heartbeat, headaches and muscle tension. Studies have shown that engaging with art in this way has a huge effect on your brain. Both the conscious and unconscious parts are stimulated which can increase your analytical and problem-solving skills. In addition, blood flow to the brain can rise by as much as ten percent when looking at art that we find especially beautiful. Dopamine and serotonin are released which boosts your mood.
Upon entering a relaxed ‘alpha’ state your cognitive function can significantly improve, making it easier to solve problems and work on removing any negative blocks you may be experiencing. Placing pieces of art that you can get lost in around your home can also help to bring calm and create a relaxed atmosphere. Keep a small artwork by your workspace or hang a larger one above it. If you have space above the kitchen sink, or bathroom basin you can engage in visual meditation while doing the dishes or brushing your teeth.
While it may not replace medication for more serious conditions, finding a few minutes to be present throughout the day can make a big difference to your mental (and physical) state meaning art can be a valuable addition to your self-care toolkit.
I’d love to know which videos you like best so I can make more of them for you. Don’t forget to leave me a comment!
Kx