Healing Through Meditation
Early May is Mental Health Week in Canada. I feel compelled to share my mental health journey & how meditation helped me heal through a very difficult time in my life. By sharing, I hope to help in breaking the stigma around mental health. Full disclosure… I’m NOT a Mental Health professional & meditation isn’t a one-size-fits all aid for mental health.
✋If you or someone you know needs mental health support, there are free programs and services available to help at cmha.ca. If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, please call the Canada Suicide Prevention Service tollfree at 1-833-456-4566.
My journey: Our dad was a hard working, soft hearted, humble & kind man. He was beyond special to me & so was my time spent with him. Like most dads, he worked long hours, so as a teen, I would get up at 5am to have coffee with him before he went off to work. I loved those quiet early mornings with him & it’s probably why mornings are still my favorite part of the day.
When he passed away in 2017, my heart was broken & I felt traumatized from the months & days leading up to his death. Overcome with grief, depression & the obtrusive memories from the day he died, I knew I had to do something to help quiet my mind & that’s when I turned to Meditation.
I found a 21 Day Mediation series, with each session 20 minutes long. It wasn't easy at first, but eventually those 20 minutes became sacred to my healing journey. After the 21 days was over, I did another 21 days, & then another. As the weeks & months passed, my grief began to fade, my heart started to heal & I felt more like myself again. To this day I still meditate on a regular basis & I love it.
If meditation is not your thing, that’s ok! Instead, create time for yourself to relax, turn off electronics & take a breath. Struggle with stillness? Try going for a morning walk. These activities can also help clear your mind which offers many benefits to your body. There are lots of free meditation apps available, try some out & see what feels best for you. You are worth it! ♡
xo - Tracey
If you would like further insight & direction in some of these areas or if you are wanting more passion, purpose, joy or connection, then YOU are in the right place to continue your personal growth. ♡
