Mindfulness: a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.
The older I get, the more I have an understanding of how important my mental health is. Stresses of our everyday lives can take a toll. We need to stop, breathe, center down and focus on ourselves. Even if for a few minutes a day, taking a mental health break is imperative to lead a happy life.
At the Shore Hotel in Santa Monica, they have devoted the month of May to Mindfulness. Along with a relaxing stay at their eco-conscious, elegant boutique hotel, the Shore Hotel has created mindfulness packages. Guests can choose from yoga or cycling classes, a wide variety of massages and meditation and mindfulness amenities.
The Shore Hotel emphasizes meditation during Mindfulness in May. I had the opportunity to attend an outdoor guided session at the Shore Hotel. The courtyard is the perfect place to close your eyes and allow yourself to center down and breathe. The Shore Hotel partners with Lather – a natural beauty line with a focus on wellness. The line is featured in every guest room as a courtesy product.. A rep from Lather specializes in blending essential oils of our choosing to create the perfect individual concoction to use with our meditation. Using essential oils during meditation has been proven to enhance the meditation experience, promote relaxation, and encourage spiritual openness. Essential oils can also heighten the senses allowing for clarity and peace of mind.
After creating the perfect oil combination, we sit and the guided meditation begins. Soft music plays in the background as we listen to our host. Breathe in and out – deeply. Twenty minutes later, the meditation ends.
I walked into the session, frustrated from sitting in LA traffic and the normal stresses of my life. I left the session calm and relaxed. It is true, daily meditation makes for a happier life. If you are in Santa Monica for the remainder of May, stop into the Shore Hotel and book a Mindfulness package. Take this time to practice self love and treat yourself. The tools you will learn during Mindfulness in May are there for you to use throughout the rest of your life. We owe it to ourselves to take care of our bodies AND minds. Namaste.
1515 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
