Take A Deep Breath

This is the first thing that you see when you open up the Calm app.

Even though I’ve been using the app for 4 years now, those words don’t fail to stop my racing brain to take a moment to just breathe.

Although I don’t meditate as much as I used to (doing a session at least twice a week over the weekends, but getting back into it!), it is heavily integrated into my life now and I don’t know how I could be without it. There have been weeks (since breaking my streak), where I wouldn’t open it but when I finally sit back down to get some head space, I remember why I have it.

Some of the things I use it for, today:

  • Daily meditation – even though I can definitely improve on this front recently.
  • Getting to sleep – with the recent introduction to Sleep Stories and Sounds, I’ve been drifting to sleep listening to some incredible stories. I haven’t ever finished one to the end because I fall asleep immediately, but it’s so incredibly relaxing – just what you need before bed.
  • Inspiration – with Calm Masterclasses, I’ve spent some time listening to some incredible people about topics such as Gratitude, Mindset, Happiness and more! I always leave feeling inspired, and that inspiration always leads to something great later on.
  • Stretching my body – with Calm Body, I use their stretches to either wake myself up in the morning or wind down before bed. There are various sessions that guide you to properly stretch your body – mindfully too!
  • Productivity and Focus – with Calm Music, I listen to some nature melodies, soundscapes especially to help me focus at work.
  • Relieve my travel anxiety – I still get quite anxious especially on flights. Calm recently released a Flight Anxiety meditation which I use every single trip I make abroad. It helps me relieve tension and the fear I have on take-off and landing.
  • Keeping me grounded. Because we all need that at times.

Travel Anxiety Meditation session

“Slowly open your eyes, bring awareness to the room around you”

Every time I think back to those darker days, I get emotional. At the same time, I feel this intense feeling of gratitude for taking the step to create a better me. One who is more at peace and content with life.

Although I still have days where I worry that I will be in that dark hole again, I feel like I have built up the strength to face anything life throws at me. And most of the time hopefully, in a calm, mindful way.

On a boat in Cape Verde – it’s so relaxing being in the middle of the ocean.