Designed to lighten “the mountains that we carry.”
Let’s be honest: Feeling worthy is easier said than done. Between destructive beauty standards, family pressures, and our own expectations for ourselves, self-esteem is a pretty precious resource. But it’s also incredibly important to our overall wellness. In fact, a 2022 review of research found that having high self-esteem “helps individuals…succeed in a variety of life domains, including having more satisfying relationships, performing better at school and work, enjoying improved mental and physical health, and refraining from antisocial behavior.”
How can you refocus your energy on your many strengths and gifts (and cut back on all that “antisocial behavior”)? Fitness expert Ryan Cooper has a solution: His latest guided meditation focuses on releasing the negative self-talk you’ve internalized. He titled his 11-minute session “Stop Carrying Mountains” — which feels pretty fitting, considering that the burdens we lug around do feel that massive.
Cooper begins the meditation by helping you relax your muscles little by little. Then he launches into some insights that can help you visualize your problems: “Imagine you have these hooks on your back,” he says, and suggests you give each a label. “You choose what the label is.” He offers some helpful examples: “It could be shame, it could be pain.” Whatever you feel is dragging you down works.
“At the end of each hook is a mountain,” Cooper says, and suggests visualizing another negative emotion attached to your left shoulder. Luckily, by the end of this routine, Cooper provides advice on how to detach yourself from your burdens.
Feeling better? If you’re looking to dive a little deeper, Cooper has more meditation guidance, workouts, breathwork, yoga sessions, nutritional advice, and even one-on-one training. (Plus, Cooper has a deal just for Katie Couric Media readers: Using the promo code KCM50, you can get 50 percent off Cooper’s fitness packages.) Relief is just a click away.
