*meditation*-- has anyone with autism found meditation to be of benefit

keep up the good changes Pikl

I really hope so x

Thank you. I'm hoping my assessment might unlock a few ways to try and work with the way my brain is actually wired.

I've just discovered them, I'm slow to the party lol, and still excited over them 

I really hope you feel better soon Dawn. 

Yes I like mantras

I'm sure you are probably right. Wish I could make go away though. It might bring back all the stuff that used to be in the tool kit, including meditation, for at a lot things :-(

Just a random thought, but could that be a kind of defence mechanism by the brain? 

Yes that's it exactly. I feel like tears almost come, but are blocked somehow and that's not good. It's changing my responses. It almost as if someone turned my tear ducts off.

I've recently started meditation, I did try it some months ago and it didn't seem to work, I was too easily distracted. Now, after having a very good coach, I am really enjoying meditation. I look forward to it each day and I can really feel the "in the moment " benefits. What is really helping me is that I've set an intention (mantra) for my meditation. It helps to calm my thoughts and keep my anxiety into perspective. Yesterday I used the mantra whilst at work (said inside my head) to help when things became overwhelming. And it helped to prevent my anxiety from going completely haywire. I still have a lot to learn, and that's exciting knowing there is more for me to explore.

I need to build in relaxation when I'm feeling well and keep doing it. If I start when I'm having a stressful day there's pressure on me then to relax! YOU WILL RELAX! 

That's strange you say about your ability to cry. I went through quite a bit a few years ago and didn't realise until my therapist said it was probably trauma. But I used to have a feeling which was hard to describe...the only thing I could say is that "it feels like crying is trapped inside me and won't come out". I would get it in my chest and behind my eyes.

Maybe go back to meditation if it used to help.

Thanks Ethan. I've heard of these before but I'll look into them a bit more. Cheers.

Thank you. I'll have a look at Adrian ne on youtube and think I'll go back to my app. I'll aim for 15 minutes a day to start with.

I used to for many years. And yes, it's very beneficial.

I have to careful with the breathing and body awareness aspects as they can trigger my body phobias. I used to do it my way with image.

Since someone close to me was dangerously ill my capacity to engage with it suddenly disappeared, along with my ability to cry.  Trauma, maybe?

I'd like that to come back. It would make me feel better.

I like yoga with Adrienne also!

I also started using the Insight Timer app, I really like it. I put the timer with on for 5 minutes and wear my noise cancelling headphones while I do slow breathing, and it is amazing how only 5 minutes can help clear my head. I also like 'Yoga with Adrienne' on youtube. I find that if I'm super anxious/agitated it is too hard to meditate but concentrating on the yoga actions helps take my mind off of things.

Are u looking for me i got some sort of ping Rebecca

I do Tai Chi and Qi Gong (meditation in motion). Not much, maybe 10-15 mins a day. Find it a huge help.

So, I've made a bit of an action plan tonight and one thing I need help with is that my brain doesn't have an off switch. I would say sometimes it's not ruminating but just autopilot of going over and over something even if it isn't anxiety inducing. My brain never gets a rest. I know it's not helpful thought processes but I cannot put a stop to it.

My partner said its like if you have a car running all the time it'll eventually run out of petrol...but you can take they keys out. I need to take the keys out. One thing which I can do to help myself is mediation and mindfulness. 

I have an app called insight timer which ive used before, and its good but theres a lot of choice and in the past ive just dipped in and out.  I was wondering if anyone can recommend either a good book or some sort of programme online or series of videos I could follow? I'm not new to meditation but haven't done it for a while.

Any help would be appreciated. 

Thats truly awesome Rebecca  I cant understand why this key piece of knowledge is not really mentioned / pushed by GPs within the NHS. Even those that diagnosed me never suggested it.  

Keep at it.

I am a happy bunny