Chanting 'Om' in the morning may help ease stress and aid sleep, say astrologers
A few minutes of chanting 'Om' with attention on the breath can work like meditation for many people, though it is not a cure for any ailment.
Spending a few minutes on oneself after getting out of bed, instead of reaching for the phone, can make a difference. Chanting 'Om' is a simple practice that needs no special preparation or place. According to astrologers, sitting quietly for a while, chanting 'Om' and focusing on the breath can feel like meditation to many people.
This is especially so when the list of office work, household chores and other responsibilities starts running through the mind from the very start of the day. A pause of 5 to 10 minutes can give the mind a chance to stop. However, chanting 'Om' is not a cure for any illness. It can be added to daily life as a practice for relaxation.
The morning often sets the direction for the rest of the day. When the mind is crowded with phone calls, messages and work worries as soon as one wakes, there is little room to settle down. Sitting still in one place for a few minutes and chanting 'Om' can be an easy way to begin meditating. During the chant, one should attend to the voice, the breath and the posture of the body. This can help keep other thoughts at bay for a while. Five minutes may be enough at the start. Once it becomes a habit, it can be extended to 10 minutes.
On a busy day, countless thoughts can crowd the mind: sometimes office work, sometimes household responsibilities, sometimes worry about the next day. Sitting quietly at such a time can bring some relief. Paying steady attention to the voice and the breath while chanting keeps the mind on one thing for a while. It is not a cure for stress, but it can certainly be included in a relaxation routine.
While chanting, one breathes in and then utters the sound slowly. This draws attention to the breath for a short time. Practising slow, easy breathing can bring a sense of calm to many people. Those who have trouble breathing or other health problems should not rely on this practice alone. Seeking a doctor's advice when needed is very important.
These days, constant notifications and time spent in front of screens make it hard to concentrate. Setting the phone aside for a few minutes and focusing only on the voice and breath while chanting 'Om' trains the mind to rest on one thing. Doing this before starting study or work in the morning can make the start of the day calmer.
Chanting 'Om' is not limited to the morning. Those who find it hard to calm the mind before sleep can include it in their relaxation routine. Chanting with slow breaths for a few minutes while sitting quietly can offer a chance to stay away from screens and the day's rush before bed. If sleep problems persist, it is important to understand the real cause. Relying only on chanting 'Om' is not the right remedy.
A simple way to chant is to sit with eyes closed in a quiet place after waking. Then exhale slowly and chant 'Om'. Try to keep attention on the voice, and if the mind wanders, bring it back to the breath and the chant. Start with five minutes and, if it feels comfortable, gradually increase the time to 10 minutes. Keep the phone away during the practice and do not hurry.
