- I was looking for a better way to relax at the beginning of the week and avoid the Sunday dreads.
- I started going to sound bath meditation to promote mental calm.
- I forgot to eat before my session and got distracted by my growling stomach.
You’ve probably heard of Sunday dread or Sunday blues. As the weekend ends and the reality of the week ahead sinks in, anxiety sets in.
Anyone, even those who truly love their career, can feel some stress about the upcoming work week. Including myself. Sometimes you’ll find yourself worrying about an email on your to-do list or stressing about your next work call, leaving you with unrefreshed sleep and a bad start to your week.
This year, I was looking for a better way to make my workday easier. Enter sound bath meditation. Some say the guided practice, which features gentle sound vibrations and soft crystal bowls, promotes a sense of well-being and mental calm.
Try a sound bath yoga session
Although it is unclear exactly how sound baths originated, sound therapy is rooted in similar practices over centuries, with most applications originating from Greek, Egyptian, and Tibetan cultures. Many people believe. Sound-based wellness is not a new concept, but modern classes may offer new applications for the stresses of the digital age of modern life.
Benefits of a healthy bath meditation include relaxation, stress reduction, and improved sleep quality. My goal was to have a relaxed body and clear mind by Monday morning, and this afternoon’s restorative yoga session fit the bill.
After browsing through several in-person classes and YouTube tutorials, Humming Puppy Yoga Studio in New York City particularly interested me. I had booked a few yoga classes at the studio beforehand, but I decided to attend with a new intention.
As the lights began to dim, the instructor led our group through a series of slow poses. Through these gentle suggestions, I imagined myself completely immersed in the slight “noise” of the room. At the end of the yoga series, the instructor played some notes in the studio’s crystal bowl. This is the final “sound bath” part of the class. During quiet meditation, my mind usually wanders, but the constant “hum” and singing bowl focused my thoughts.
But eliminating other distractions is the only thing I can do to change my experience. In the hustle and bustle of daily life, I forgot to eat a snack and make sure to stay hydrated before my appointment. I also couldn’t help but notice that my stomach was growling (and probably the person on the mat next to me as well).
But the hardest part was coming out of the final pose and walking out into the studio’s bright lobby. Nevertheless, the bliss of purposeful rest lasted for the rest of the night.
Although my pre-Monday anxiety didn’t completely subside, I noticed that I continued to feel calm and grounded into the week.
Incorporate relaxation into your week
It’s hard to say if that focused yoga session completely cured me of my Sunday blues, but it did make me feel a little better opening my laptop on Monday morning. I found my mind to be much clearer and creativity to flow more easily. A few weeks later, I now incorporate a miniature version of that restorative practice into my weekend routine.
When Sunday is a little hectic and I can’t squeeze in a full-on yoga session, I plan to meditate quietly for a few minutes at home. Although Spotify playlists don’t offer the same physical vibrations and live sound as a studio, crystal singing bowl recordings are a great way to calm your buzzing thoughts about work.
