Entries by Joy Rains
Reduce Anxiety by Practicing “Not Knowing”
With the uncertainty about the coronavirus comes a tremendous amount of stress. Many questions about the virus and its implications remain unanswered—and may continue to be unanswered for the weeks and months ahead. Immediate challenges from the virus, such as illness or loss of work, bring stress. This stress is often compounded by worries about […]
Responding vs. Reacting
The practice of meditation helps you respond to life’s events consciously, rather than react unconsciously. This can go a long way towards reducing stress. For example, if you’re waiting in line to pay for your purchases and someone cuts in front of you, rather than going into an immediate stress-related reaction (such as shouting “How […]
3 Simple Tips to Reduce Stress
Got stress? Here are three tips to help you center and find balance. Tip #1: Create a Stress-Free Zone at Home Have a “stress-free zone” in your home. You can learn to associate a dedicated place with quieting your mind, a place where you sit for a few minutes each day and focus on your […]
Three Tips to Reducing Stress in Traffic
#1: Change expectations. One reason people get stressed in traffic is that their expectation for the amount of traffic they’re expecting is often different than the reality of the volume of traffic. By approaching the driving time with an open mind and without expectations for the way things “should be,” people are less likely to […]
How to Develop a Compassion Habit
Since studies show that behaving more compassionately toward yourself and others can make you happier, why not develop a compassion habit? The brain has neuroplasticity, or the ability to form new neural pathways and new ways of being. You can actually train your brain to operate from a center of compassion. Here are some tips […]
Mindful Sales: Stress or Strategy?
Most sales professionals hope to know at the end of their presentation whether the customer wants to move forward. Yet, the timing doesn’t always work out that way due to reasons beyond the rep’s control, i.e., although they’d prefer to be the last vendor presenting, there might be presentations following theirs—or although they’d like to […]
Identify Customer Needs with Mindful Listening
Listening closely to your prospects and customers can be challenging, especially since the mind can process words at a rate of approximately 500 words per minute, but people talk at a rate of approximately 150 words per minute. Perhaps you’ve had the experience of listening to a customer and realizing your attention has been pulled […]
Focusing on the Task at Hand
One of the divers in the Thai cave rescue of 12 soccer players and their coach spoke of the importance of focus, saying, “You cannot let your mind slip out of focus, because when you start thinking, ‘I’m going to get stuck,’ that’s when you panic. You cannot think about anything else besides the task […]
Tips for Turbulence
Whether you experience turbulence on an airplane, in your work life, or in your home life—meditation can help see you through times that are challenging. You can practice meditating by shifting your attention from your thoughts to something neutral, such as your breath or the feeling of your feet on the ground. If you’re traveling […]
Mindful Selling: Changing the “Rejection” Story
Top baseball players don’t get a hit every time they’re up to bat. If they get 3 hits out of 10 at-bats, they’re doing great. Same with top salespeople. They don’t close 100% of their sales. They get a certain number of “no’s.” Hearing the word “no” is part of the selling process. If customers […]
Power Your Sales with Awareness
Developing your power of awareness can help power your sales results. Awareness can help you recognize your internal experiences, such as negative thoughts that could impede your success. For instance, if you hear the economy is in a slump, do you tell yourself a story that your sales will collapse as well? Once you realize […]
Meditation at Work
Nine-to-five jobs are no longer the norm. Employees send and receive work-related texts and emails around the clock, as work life spills over into home life. The two aren’t as separate as they used to be. Since employees spend more hours working, proactive employers give a high priority to employees’ well-being to help prevent job […]
Finding Freedom with “Not Knowing”
One of the reasons people like to micro-manage everything is because they are worried about outcomes. And yes, I easily fall into this category, which is why I took up the practice of meditation almost 30 years ago! One day at the local post office, I was worrying about the label on a package, as it […]
Mindfulness for Sales: How to Use Mindfulness to Accelerate your Sales Success
Mindfulness can help you clear your mind—and increase your sales. Have you ever been fully engaged with the present moment? Perhaps you’ve experienced present moment awareness when taking a morning jog, or playing fetch with your dog, or watching the ebb and flow of ocean waves. Bringing this quality of awareness to your sales efforts […]
How to Reduce Stress
When things don’t go the way you want, stress can arise. Much of the stress comes from ruminating about the past or creating imagined stories about the future. To reduce stress, see if you can rest your mind in the immediacy of the present moment. Upon entering this moment, let go of past stories and […]
Creative Wellness Ideas for Meetings
Here’s an out-of-the-box idea that can be used for team-building, creativity, problem-solving, walking meditation, and more: bring a portable labyrinth in to your next meeting. The ancient practice of labyrinth walking is perfect for modern times. No special training is needed. If a person is able to walk, than they can walk a labyrinth. All […]
Just 2 minutes (and 12 seconds) a day
Just meditating for two minutes a day can help train your mind. Regular practice is the key to learning any new skill. It’s important to approach meditation in a way that you will feel successful, so you don’t get discouraged and give up. Two minutes is a small enough time commitment to be manageable for many […]
Meditation Myths – Part I
Although some people think the practice of meditation involves stopping all thoughts and feelings, this is not so. Just as it’s the nature of the heart to beat, it’s the nature of the mind to think. Expect that thoughts and feelings will continue to arise. Meditation is about returning to your immediate experience in the […]
Visualizing Healthy Eating
How can you make healthy food choices more visible? See healthy choices in your “mind’s eye!” Research shows that what people visualize is more powerful than what is actually in front of them. Instead of visions of sugar-plums dancing in your head, try visions of plums, apples, or other whole foods. Visualize the foods you […]
Bringing Vacation Relaxation Back Home
It’s time for that summer vacation. Ahh. Lying on the beach, listening to the sound of the waves … there’s nothing like it. All your muscles relax and you forget all the stressors of daily life. But how can you take this feeling of relaxation back home with you? See if you can develop a […]
Many Ways to Meditate
Although many people think of meditating as sitting still and noticing the breath, there are countless variations on this ancient practice. Don’t like to sit still? Try a walking meditation. (Each time you take a step bring all your attention to the soles of your feet touching the ground.) Have a stuffy nose? Try a meditation […]
Have a Retreat at Home!
Imagine coming home to a personal retreat space. A space where you can sink into the quiet of soft music, soft lighting, soft being. Away from the noise of the office, or the kids, or everything else in your life that cries loudly for your attention. Imagine a personal retreat space that is just about […]
Change your awareness, change your physical response
Changing your awareness can change your physical response. Consider this: your body doesn’t know the difference between stress you imagine and real stress. If you are watching a suspenseful movie, your heartbeat may quicken and you may even find that beads of sweat are forming on your forehead. Your body is reacting to your mind’s […]
The Irony of Getting Help for Anxiety
It’s ironic, isn’t it? Your anxiety may be getting in the way of getting help for your anxiety! Perhaps you are worried if you ask your doctor about it you will be perceived as abnormal, or weak, or any number of other negative connotations. Consider taking up the practice of meditation as a starting point […]
Finding Happiness Within
If only (fill in the blank), then I’d be happy. Maybe your “blank” is making more money, shedding extra pounds, or having a different job. Yet, it’s a common myth to think that if these “if only” scenarios come true, then you’ll find happiness. Here are some facts to debunk the “if only” myth: 1-The […]
Quiet Your Mind for a Good Night’s Sleep
A great way to shut off your brain and relax your body to prepare for sleep is to do a progressive muscle relaxation exercise. Here are the directions: Lie on your back and bring all your attention to your body. Begin a process of gently tightening and releasing each muscle group, starting with your feet […]
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PLEASE NOTE:
The meditations and information on this website are not intended as medical advice and may not be suitable for everyone. Please check with your health care provider before implementing any changes in your lifestyle habits. Meditation should not be done while driving or while engaged in any activity that requires your attention.