Summertime makes us think of things like ice cream, swimming pools, family vacations, and the warmth of the sun. Longer days and sunshine make summer everyone’s favorite season… well, for a lot of you anyway. But we don’t always get to enjoy the relaxing summer traditions due to a go-go-go lifestyle keeping the kids entertained, our bosses satisfied, and lack of time in a day.
Summer is a great time to practice the art of a good, balanced, life. You have to take the time for yourself and enjoy a little rest and relaxation. Meditation is a great way to accomplish relaxation in short spurts.
“Only when you leave yourself with time to unwind, will you be able to recharge and find balance.” – Deepak Chopra
Slow down and recharge with this Guided Meditation for Summer
Try this easy 10-minute meditation from The Chopra Center to cool you off and calm your mind. Tune into yourself and gift yourself the gift of feeling energized, centered and balanced.
- Find a comfortable seated position—it can be in your favorite chair or on a pillow on the floor. Since it is summer, try finding a cozy spot outside in the shade so you can enjoy the fresh air during your meditation.
- Close your eyes and take five deep breaths, inhaling deeply through your nose and exhaling slowly through your mouth with an audible HA sound. With each breath, notice your body begin to relax.
- Now imagine you are sitting outside, and the sun is shining strong overhead. Feel the sunshine begin to warm you up one body part at a time, starting with your toes, then up your legs, hips, torso, shoulders, arms, neck, face, and finally the crown of your head. Move slowly, noticing the sun’s warmth cover one body part at a time.
- Notice how it feels to be covered by the sun’s warmth.
- Now visualize a body of water in front of you—it could be a lake, the ocean, a river, a swimming pool, etc. You stand up and over the body of water, take a deep inhale, and dive in. Notice how the water feels on your face and on your skin.
- Notice the temperature of the water and the sensations you feel as you dive deeper into the water. Watch yourself continue to dive deeper and deeper and deeper. Pay attention to how it feels to keep diving deeper into the water.
- Then you start to ascend and come up to the surface for just enough time to get another deep breath of air, then you dive back in. Repeat this cycle several times in your mind—surfacing, breathing, and descending again.
- After a few minutes or when you feel ready to get out of the water, start to surface again, this time finding your way to dry land.
- Notice your transition of slowly getting out of the water: The cool air hitting your skin, the cool earth under your feet. As you walk, notice any sounds, smells, or tastes.
- Notice the sun showing up to warm you up—your face, your arms, your entire body. Noticing the sun’s heat dry you off from head to toe.
- When you’re completely dry, bring awareness back to your breath, slow inhales and exhales through the nose.
- Take one more deep breath in through the nose and out through the mouth. Gently open your eyes and lean into the calmness in your mind and body.
Take the time to do this meditation over and over again when life gets overwhelming.
Each time will become more beneficial to you.
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