And here I am. Being “that guy”.

 

I know hearing someone tell you about their meditation practice is truly the most annoying. 

 

It feels like a humble brag that is truly cringe-worthy. 

For background, I am a recovering skeptic of all things woo-woo. It is the doctor’s daughter in me. 

 

I am not into crystals. 

I don't do essential oils. 

Despite being a textbook Virgo (a pragmatic, type-A, perfectionist with a million ideas a minute), I think astrology doesn't make much sense. 

 

(But- wait…maybe that is the just the pragmatic Virgo in me?!)

 

 

And yet, here I am about to extoll the virtues of a regular meditation practice. 

 

Especially if you are supporting a teen or young adult that is struggling. 

 

Why?

 

 

What finally got me into meditation a few years ago? 

 

It was two things: data and desperation. 

 

After reading, "Peak Mind" by Amishi P. Jha and hearing all the evidence for being able to rewire your brain in 12 minutes 5 days a week I was sold. 

 

Numerous studies have shown the benefits of meditation include:

 

Data? Check. 

 

Plus, during this phase of my life I was, to use a clinical term, a “hot mess”. 

It was mid-Covid, I had two small kids at home 24/7, I was running my own practice, and was really not doing well. My nervous system was constantly jacked up and I was on edge all the time. This level of overwhelm was a new sensation for me and I had less time and less bandwidth than ever before to deal with it.

 

 

12 minutes a day sounded pretty good.

 

So, if you struggle with accessing your CALM in tough moments, as many of us do, meditation can be a game-changer. (It has been for me.) I mean, if these skills work for Navy Seals, they can surely help me deal with my kids' emotional outbursts right?

 

Below you will find links to the podcast that finally got me to give it a shot a few years ago, the best book on meditation for all the fellow skeptics and cynics out there, and a guided meditation you can use to give it a try. 

 

This isn't the only way to get better access your calm (we talk about a ton of options in Step 2 of my Parent Coaching Program The Response Roadmap), but it is a damn good one. 

 

As for making a plan to start any new habit, I defer to James Clear and his brilliant book Atomic Habits: start small (less than 2 minutes a day at first), schedule your habit and make the new habit as easy to do as possible.

 

Let me know if you give it a try- I’d love to hear your thoughts! 

 

Happy OHMmmmmm-ing friends,

PS: I usually take a little pause this time of year, but I have had some interest in 

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