Feeling Stressed? Learn How to Think Like a Monk with Jay Shetty

This week, I want to talk about how to how to deal with stress. This week has been nuts! This year has been insane! It's a LOT to manage. I cannot even think of an emoji that characterizes how stressful this year has been for all of us. And yet, we must find ways to continue to live our lives. There is no other option.

My own approach to dealing with all of this stress has been meditation. Now if you're a skeptic, I want you to listen to this week's episode of FOMO Sapiens where my guest is the great Jay Shetty. Jay's new book "Think Like a Monk" really goes deep on why meditation is such a powerful way to manage your feelings.

On the episode (listen here and please subscribe on iTunes or Spotify), Jay explains how to begin a meditation practice and I also talk about how to stick with your practice. Because here's the thing: Even if the idea of mindfulness makes sense to you and you’ve wanted to integrate this kind of activity into your life, doing so is easier said than done for many people. It’s not that it’s hard, per se, it’s just that it’s hard to make it a priority. Take it from me. I’ve spent years trying to meditate. I’ve downloaded apps, taken classes, you name it. Yet while I’ve been able to keep things up for a few days here and there, I’ve struggled to create any sort of habit or routine. I always get too busy or too distracted to remember to meditate every day.

Here's something to keep in mind: There is a popular perception that unless you sit on the floor cross-legged and chant, or go on a fourteen-day retreat to Thailand, you’re not doing it right. That is a myth. There’s a reason why lots of people have their best ideas in the shower. It’s because, for that brief period of time, you are likely being mindful, even if you didn’t realize it. As the water hits you, you’re noticing it. You are present and as a result, good things happen. In the same vein, for you, washing the dishes or laying on your couch with your dog could be an effective way to be present. 

Also, bear in mind that this is not supposed to be hard. If you think it’s hard and you feel like you have to exert force on your mind to make progress, then you’re missing the point. Your goal is to give your mind a break, not work it harder. If you find it to be a struggle, don’t worry.  Like most other things in life, you’re probably going to need to practice. As you do, you can always seek out guidance, in the form of a class or a teacher, to help you along your way.   

The critical thing is to begin. Make time, even a few minutes, every day. And you will start to see how helpful developing a meditation practice can be to managing stress. Eventually, you might even learn to think like a monk.