It can be easy to be swept up in the chaos of uncertainty and change. But it is important to find your zen during these moments.
What exactly is zen?
Zen can be defined as a “state of calm attentiveness in which one’s actions are guided by intuition rather than by conscious effort.” This Merriam-Webster, Western definition of zen is derivative from that of Zen, an ancient Buddhist tradition, which originated in the East: China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. Through meditation, those who practice Zen focus on their direct intuition to achieve enlightenment. As the West took on this Eastern religious tradition, they put aside its religious meaning and embraced it for its ability to reduce the stress in their hectic lives.
Finding Your Zen During COVID-19
During this time of uncertainty, you may feel powerless. Though you may not be able to stop change, you are able to choose how you react to it. It is important to be mindful of your emotions and recognize that sometimes you’ll have to just go with the flow. When you feel yourself starting to become overwhelmed or stressed, take a deep breath and set aside your work. A few minutes of meditation, or mindfulness, can help you to feel centered and at peace in your current situation.
Creating a Zen-Like Environment
It can be hard to tune into yourself when your environment is polluted with noise and other distractions. If you are able to do so safely, step outside your home and into nature. Nature has restorative powers proven by medical research. By stepping into nature, you can appeal to your senses and feel more grounded to the earth. While you are breathing in fresh air, listen to the sounds of birds chirping, soak in the warmth of the sun, and focus your eyes on nature’s beauty. Though stepping outside may just seem like a distraction from stress, it actually brings you back into the reality that you are safe and protected by what already is and will always be.
You can also find you zen indoors. Appeal to your senses from home by turning on calming music, lighting a scented candle, or taking a soothing warm bath. Create a time and space just for yourself and free from distractions.
If you’ve already returned to the workplace and are struggling to remain calm throughout the workday, schedule time at your desk to unplug and check-in with yourself. Though you may not be able to light a candle or take a bath at work, you can still practice mindfulness by doing simple things like focusing on your breaths or listening to a guided meditation online. And when you return from work, instead of watching television, do a more mindful activity such as a completing a jigsaw puzzle, coloring a picture, or cooking a meal from scratch. We can find zen in our everyday lives.
