Healthy Magazine Healthy SoFlo Issue 63 | Page 27

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE · AUGUST 2018 04 02 MEDITATE Meditation is so powerful. It’s also very biblical. It depends on what you’re thinking about and how you’re going about it, but for me, meditation looks like reciting something (sometimes out loud, sometimes in my head), a word or a phrase, possibly a scripture, with my eyes closed. Closing my eyes allows me to stay present and not get distracted from the meditation. If I feel that a word is really speaking to me, I’ll focus on that and just keep taking deep breaths while I continue reciting the word over and over again. I’m focusing on intentionality. I choose to focus on that word and then I invite the Lord to join me in my morning routine and to be present with me throughout the day. Occasionally a distracting thought will come. I acknowledge that it’s there and then purposely let it go. I stop worrying about it and go back to repeating my word or phrase. Doing this for 10 to 15 minutes has been proven to reduce cortisol levels, so I encourage you to meditate, even if all you can spare is five minutes. Set a timer (one without a jarring alarm) and then close your eyes and begin. 03 PRAY After I’ve finished my coffee, I will go into prayer. I give God the day and I talk to Him about what’s on my heart. If anything came up while I was meditating, I give it