It's fine not to be in order: mindfulness for men

The world came to a standstill when I noticed that I had used activities, work and other distractions so that I could not fully become aware of my stress and fear. It was a very interesting year in which we had to rethink how we lived with stress and were always on the go to not really feel the stress and fear in us.

words like "I am stressed at work or at home" or "travel or travel or vacation can be stressful", although last year, when it seemed as if it were like it was a time when some had to think and rest, it was reported that it was very stressful and conversations about stress and fear increased, because other concerns appeared (e.g. releases, money, separation of families, death, etc.).

The blocking was a confusing time because it was considered a time to catch up with favorite books, learn new skills, develop new businesses and for those who still have to work or study, a different way of doing things. Not to "rise", to train or to be entrepreneurial, meant wasting the quiet time in which we were. I had already created a list of things that I had to do in others to be productive and creative and could not waste the vacation. Then came the murder of George Floyd, Breanna Taylor and the call for social justice all over the world.

There are already many problems related to racism for POC, be it in your face full of racism or microag gressions that I know well as a black person and which I have experienced, which increases the daily stress of life. The constant pictures and videos of murders or the concern for my family all over the world, the stuck indoors, the thoughts that I am not productive, do not learn new skills or are not an entrepreneurial made me constantly stressed and anxious. All of these emotions brought me back to my yoga and meditation practice, which I have been practicing for over 6 years.

It has been shown that practicing meditation and mindfulness contributes to lowering the combat or flight mode that has the stress. I practiced to get in the mood for my breath, breathe and breathe deeply and slowly to calm the brain's battle or escape part. The joy and satisfaction that I started to feel slowly, by becoming aware of it, helped me to deal with social expectations and to understand that it is okay not to be wrong, and to recognize that it is okay to be sad and sensitive, not always strong. not always productive or creative.

My journey in this way is not over, but an ongoing process in which I give myself the permission to sit and log as a point of sale. Mindfulness practice and realistic expectations of myself and the realistic that I am the expert for me have contributed to reducing my stress and fear considerably.

What I do when I feel stressed or anxious and you may find it useful is in no way a quick solution, but a step to feel comfortable in me:

• I found that I am still in a mindful exercise for 10 minutes a day, as I found in this group of friends, to offer meditation with free breath (www.slowe.yoga/breathe).

• Practice self -care as it serves you, be it journaling, lighting fragrance candles or bathing.

• If you know that it is okay to ask for help if necessary, either from your family doctor, NHS, at least therapist or your local hotline.

• Switch off social media from time to time.