A note from Sean
Try this today. Pick one thing you consume today: the news, a show, or your feed. Before you start, ask what you want from it. Partway through, take one breath and check your shoulders, jaw, and belly. Do they tighten, soften, or stay the same? If you are watching TV, mute the next commercial break and do the check then. Then decide whether to keep going.
Keep going: Awareness Of Using Social Media and How To Build A Healthier Relationship With Your Phone.
This suits anyone who ends the day more wired than they began it. If the news is close to home, or a loss or fear is in the headlines for you, go gently. Stop when you need to.
Here’s a Sample of the “Mindful Media” Guided Meditation Script:
Just as you take food into your body, consuming both healthyand not-so-healthy options, you also consume media throughout the day. You listen to music, watch TV, read the news, and so on.Although these may provide knowledge and entertainment, they can also create anxiety and stress in our mindsand bodies or take us away from our connection to the mind. This exercise offers a few different waysto bring mindfulness to these moments of consumption. They don’t necessarily need to be done step-by-step. First, consider what the impact may be of what you are choosing to consume.
Are you reading the news to inform yourself, or to fuel frustration? Perhaps the television show you watch has quite a bit of violence and gets your nervous system going. This isn’t to label a show, story, or song as good or bad.It’s merely about recognizing the effects of your choice.As you consume the piece of media, notice the response of the mind and body.If you are watching TV, mute the volume during commercials to check in with yourself.
