We recently created a guided video for when you feel alone and have no one to talk to, but as we were working on that, we realized something important feeling alone doesn't always mean feeling overwhelmed, And feeling overwhelmed doesn't always mean you're alone.
Sometimes you're surrounded by people, but your mind is running at 400 miles an hour.
There's pressure to decide something, pressure to get something done, pressure to not mess up.
Or maybe you're just close to your breaking point, close to burning out, and you need a moment like this to help you slow down and get back on track.
This video is part 1B of a 10-part guided meditation series we are currently working on and budgeting for.
More than ever, we've realized how much we all need moments like this to be grounded, to find peace in all the chaos.
We live in a world that constantly asks us to perform, to produce, to keep up and honestly, it's exhausting.
That's why we created this series.
Burnout is real.
In fact, one of our most viewed videos of all time with over 15 million views was about burnout.
And we hope a video like this isn't coming out too late.
For those of you who've always wanted us to start guided meditations we're sorry we didn't begin sooner, but we're here now.
And we hope this isn't too late for you either.
As you know, this channel is created by many individuals, from talented artists like Anna Zia Lam in Vietnam, to writers and researchers in counseling and psychology like Chloe Avenessa in the Philippines and myself, your voice artist, Amanda Silvera, from Canada.
Together, we hope to continue bringing you care, content that transcends cultures and moments like this.
So Psych2Go can be a place you return to when things feel heavy.
With your support, simply by watching this video, we're one step closer to rising again as a channel, so we can help even more people.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
If you're listening to this right now, it probably means things feel like too much.
Maybe your thoughts are racing.
Maybe you feel numb.
Or maybe you just don't know what you're supposed to do next.
For the next 10 minutes, you don't have to solve anything.
You don't have to figure yourself out.
You just have to be here.
If, at any point, you want to open your eyes, shift your body or stop the meditation, that is completely okay.
You're in control the whole time.
Let's begin.
Wherever you are, see if you can gently notice your body.
You don't need to change anything yet.
Notice where your body is supported, maybe by a chair, the floor, a bed.
Feel the weight of your body being held.
Now, take a slow breath in through your nose and a longer breath out through your mouth.
If breathing feels hard or shallow, that's okay.
Just notice it.
There's no right way to breathe here.
Overwhelm often comes from trying to carry too much at once.
So instead of pushing it away, we're going to gently name it.
Silently, in your own words, finish this sentence.
Right now, I feel... It might be one word.
It might be many.
It might feel messy.
Whatever comes is allowed.
You're not weak for feeling this way.
Your nervous system is responding to something it believes matters.
When everything feels out of control, the brain needs something small and concrete.
So let's choose one simple anchor.
You can gently press your feet into the floor.
Place a hand on your chest or stomach or lightly press your fingertips together.
Choose one now.
Notice the sensation, pressure, warmth, contact.
This is your reminder.
Right now, you are here.
And you are safe enough in this moment.
Thoughts may still be loud.
That's okay.
Instead of trying to stop them, imagine they're passing by like subtitles on a screen.
You don't have to answer them.
You don't have to argue.
Just notice.
There's a thought and let it move on.
If your mind pulls you away, gently bring your attention back to your anchor.
Again and again.
It's never failure.
It's just practice.
Now silently say this to yourself, only if it feels okay.
I'm doing the best I can with what I have right now.
I'm doing the best I can with what I have right now.
You don't have to fully believe it.
You just have to let the words land.
Overwhelm doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you.
It means you've been strong for too long without enough support.
Let's gently bring your attention back to the room that you're in.
Notice one sound you can hear, one thing you can feel.
Even if your eyes are closed, one thing you can see.
You don't need to fix your whole life tonight.
You only need to take it one breath at a time.
As we come to the end of this meditation, remember this.
You are allowed to rest before you're done, You are allowed to pause without giving up and you don't have to know the next step right now.
When you're ready, slowly bring movement back into your body.
Wiggle your fingers, shift your shoulders, and open your eyes if they are closed.
Thank you for taking this time for yourself.
You can come back to this meditation anytime you need.
If this helped you even a little, let us know in the comments.
And if you'd like more guided videos like this, tell us what you're going through.
We're listening.
