Turn Any Bad Day Around With This 15-Minute Soul-Soothing Practice

I call these metaphysical meals because they're just as important as what you eat. You can eat the healthiest foods under the sun, but if you're serving your body a big slice of stress and shame every day, you are sabotaging all the good you are trying to do for your wellness. The philosophy behind the metaphysical meal centers on the fact that wellness isn't just about what you're eating at breakfast, lunch, and dinner; it's also about what you're serving your head and your heart. 

Metaphysical meal meditation benefits your brain, your body, and your health and the connections between them all. It can be anything from practicing gratitude to taking a hot bath to having a good cry session. Metaphysical meals show you ways to reconnect with yourself on a deeper level and nurture your head and heart.

The four steps of the metaphysical meal include stillness, sweetening judgment, setting intentions, and sealing your meal. Here's how it all breaks down into a 15-minute practice:

Many of us spend a lot of time judging ourselves, judging others, or wishing we didn't feel the things that we do. Instead, let's practice having compassion for ourselves and others. As you sink into the present moment, feel compassion for yourself, your loved ones, and the world.

As you strengthen this practice, cultivate the same feelings of compassion for those you have found difficult to love or forgive and see them as a child. As the saying goes, resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die. Observe any thoughts and emotions that come up, even negative ones. Remember that these are just passersby; they aren't who or what you are. Allow yourself to spend some time just being still. Make friends with the present moment and make friends with yourself. Spend about five minutes diving into this loving-kindness meditation, cultivating self-compassion and compassion for others.

Metaphysical meals are all about making the mundane a meditation. That way, you can infuse your day with many small moments of peace, gratitude, self-compassion, and other keys to mindfulness.