As we’ve all learned too well over the past year, life can get very serious very fast.
Stress is harmful to the body and mind in so many different ways. Stress can weaken your immune system, contribute to fatigue, depression, anxiety and heart issues. It can manifest as digestive problems, low energy, headaches, and insomnia.
It can also really affect your perception of the world. And, that’s only the tip of the iceberg.
Due to increased stress, I’ve been seeking ways to relax and chill whenever possible.
II’ve really been enjoying walking meditation.
“Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.” ―
Other times, yoga or a hot bath with my favorite aromatherapy oils and epsom salts soothes away the cares. When your body is relaxed, you are more likely to unwind and sleep better as well.
I’ve found that staying in the present truly helps. I still have to remind myself of this and can usually bring myself back to this moment because it’s truly all there is. That doesn’t mean not to plan or be prepared; it just means not to dwell on the past or the future.
As one of my teachers, Ram Dass, always said: “Be here now.” Sounds simple, but it’s profound in its simplicity.
Over the past year, I’ve got more into games, whether they be board games, video games or apps on my phone.
I don’t look at them as just a distraction, but, rather, a way to be present. When you are immersed in the experience of a game, you aren’t thinking or worrying. It’s a form of meditation, a gaming meditation if you will. Because if we can focus on something completely, our mind is not jumping about.
Speaking of games, I remembered days when I was young and going to a specific movie theatre where they had the Addams Family pinball machine. I loved the feeling of the balls clinking against the glass, the bright lights, the way you had to be completely focused. I loved the competitive nature of wanting to get that free game and hear the ball pop and, most of all, the sounds, those wonderful visceral sounds.
I looked online to find pinball games and found one that gave me the experience of playing pinball but also wasn’t too complex from a digital standpoint where it seemed less tangible somehow.
Currently, I’m enjoying Space Adventure Pinball
on plays.org.
They have Plants vs Zombies types, Zuma types, Pac-Man types, Tetris types, mini-golf. You name it and you can probably find it there or they will look for it for you. Games are truly their passion and all games are free with no ads at all, which is a nice respite from being bombarded with them daily.
I like to take a break in a busy day to play for a while or unwind in the evening.
Pleasure in simple things.
