Like many entrepreneurs, I’m the kind of gal who likes to run my business and my life with a Plan (capital P). I like to think this quality serves us well in business.
And it mostly does.
But when plans go awry, it can wreak havoc on our personal health and lead to burnout in our businesses.
So for those of us who have a hard time letting go of control and accepting the challenges that daily life throws our way (hello, 2020), meditation is a transformational and life-giving daily practice to implement in your life and business.
My journey toward meditation
Prior to becoming a parent, I was ‘on’ a lot. I worked 12 hour days. My mantra was to push and push some more, pushing right through conflict, set backs, and stress. I thought that if I just kept going, it would eventually sort itself out.
And it kind of worked. Until I had my twins 6 years ago.
That’s when my strategy of always being on started to crumble. In fact, it fell completely and totally apart once I returned to work four months later. One morning, instead of heading to my desk, I went straight to an empty conference room, crawled underneath the table, and slept for the better part of my work day.
I missed other meetings that day, but I didn’t feel guilty. In fact, I woke up so refreshed and focused, I felt great. I learned a valuable lesson that day: getting the rest we need when we need it is totally worth the effort. It recharges us and resets our balance.
Of course, we can’t always sleep when we need a break. You might take a long walk or spend a weekend without social media. And when I later discovered meditation, I learned that it’s an opportunity for rest, too.
The benefits of meditation
The practice of mindfulness gives us a much-need break from the noise of 21st century life. It grounds us, helps us sleep, and reminds us of our goals and boundaries as business owners.
Science agrees. Practicing mindfulness has been shown to lower rates of depression and anxiety, improve our emotional well being, and decrease the symptoms of some chronic illnesses.
And the reality is that as entrepreneurs and military spouses, we have a lot thrown at us. Taking regular, intentional breaks throughout the day makes us calmer, more deliberate business owners, spouses, and parents.
Daily practice for entrepreneurs
While it feels counterproductive, intervals of rest throughout the day actually increase productivity and creativity. Regular breaks can help you improve memory, make decisions, and reflect.
Here are some ways to implement meditation throughout your day in just 10 minutes:
Start your day with quiet: Before you open your laptop or check your phone, take 10 minutes to sit quietly each morning. You can combine this with journaling, bible study, or other reflection time to ensure you’re starting your day with clear intentions and a calm heart.
Take a midday break: Move from your usual work spot to a bench, a favorite chair, or the floor. Turn off all notifications. Sit quietly or listen to meditation sounds with your eyes closed.
Walk mindfully: Out for a quick walk? Use a guided meditation to learn to walk more mindfully and with purpose.
Wind down mindfully: Give yourself 10 minutes before you climb into bed to sit quietly and reflect on your day. This offers a peaceful break between work and sleep, and helps you let go of the day so you rest more soundly.
Meditation resources
As military spouses, we know better than most how unpredictable life can be, and the importance of health and wellness in the face of uncertainty. If you’re ready to give meditation a try, here are some of my go-to resources to get you started:
Buddhify
This free mindfulness app offers short guided meditation sessions intended to be heard on the go. Listen in the car, on a walk, or play a mediation for your kids. This app has it all.
Brain.fm
For a mid-day burst of inspiration, try out Brain.fm’s relaxation music. These scientifically formulated sounds regulate brain activity and increase relaxation and focus.
Headspace
Headspace is a subscription-based meditation app that offers courses, techniques, and resources for learning about mindfulness in addition to a large library of guided sessions.
InDependent
A wellness community created just for military spouses, InDependent shares resources and tips on all things wellness.
Heather is a fellow military spouse, conversion copywriter, and digital marketing strategist. She helps small businesses and entrepreneurs grow their online presence through persuasive website copy and a solid SEO strategy. She’s currently stationed in Fort Leavenworth, KS, with her spouse and twin boys, who just started Kindergarten. You can learn more about her work at her website, HD Copywriting.