July 13, 2015

Is Waking Up Early The Secret To Feeling Incredible?

According to researchers, we learn best in the early hours, which is why Eventbrite have launched their morning Summer School in London this month. From meditation to creative thinking sessions, they’ve put together an exciting timetable of pre-work classes, taking place for the whole month of July… to give your early-rising self a chance to validate the research!
As part of the Summer School and raising awareness for starting the day well, Meditation expert Emma Mills – also resident expert for Neom Organics and a contributor to The Telegraph – explained some of the techniques which can assist you with starting the day positively, giving yourself the best possible chance of feeling good all day, and the benefits of meditation for every day life.
Here are her 9 easy ways to get the most out your morning zen time. Stop, breathe, read…
1. Don’t go anywhere
My motto is ‘don’t go anywhere’ when meditating as you are learning how to sit still and be happy in the moment without constant distraction by mind chatter, fear and stress.
2. Use your senses
Check in with what you can hear, see or smell, right now. This helps bring you back to your senses, back to the now.
3. Take two minutes
Have two minutes of silence at your desk before you set down to work as it will help you to take inspired action rather than frantic action.
4. One thing at a time
Practice doing one thing at a time and ensure you are doing it thoroughly with your full attention. I once heard someone say ‘How you do anything is how you do everything’ – I think this is great advice.
5. Take it easy
Don’t over do it, mindfulness will come naturally. A little bit of meditating every now and again will work perfectly as long as you have a light-hearted spirit.
6. Learn to listen
Much of our knowledge is made up of past facts but we need to learn to listen to what is right for you in the moment. It is like hitting refresh on a Twitter feed, you see the top result of what is right, right now, rather than what was right half an hour ago.
7. Make your own rules (as Tara Stiles would say…)
Find your own way to meditate, as it doesn’t have to be boring, cross-legged or extra spiritual. Meditation is an orientation to life and life is always changing so change the environment – with practice you can meditate anywhere; in the garden, at work, in the kitchen, even when you are out at parties.
8. Use art
Art helps a person to develop sensitivity and awareness, which is what meditation, is all about. Art encourages us to engage with the senses, to be still and to listen openly. I like this quote from Jean Klein: “Let’s say you are looking at a sculpture from Angkhor Buddhism. The smile on the face of the Angkhor statue is particularly beautiful. When your attitude is receptive, you may be completely taken by this smile…The smile captures you and you feel yourself smiling.”
9. Follow your interest
If you have a sense that you would like to try meditation then come to a class to learn about it – always develop your interests even if you are just thinking about it.
So why not give it go? Wake up early and sit for 10 minutes quietly (in a way that works for you), and judge for yourself how it changes your day…

To see the full schedule of classes still on offer at Eventbrite Summer School, taking place at Pizza Pilgrims Sottoscala throughout July, and to book your space visit: Eventbrite.co.uk/SummerSchool and follow @BriteLondon