Stop Tics Guided Meditation (Neck Tic, Arm Tic, Eye Tic)

Key Takeaways:

• Mindfulness exercises create oases of calm amid ticcing episodes  
• Returning to the breath builds capacity for equanimity in discomfort
• Regular practice reduces control tics have, though they still arise

As someone who has struggled with debilitating motor tics for over 20 years, I know firsthand how an anxious, overactive mind can drive these involuntary urges. When my thoughts are racing and my nerves are frayed, the ticks ramp up like a storm raging inside me. 

In my healing journey, I've learned just how powerful meditation can be for quieting the mind and body. Even short periods of conscious breathing create moments of stillness that offer refuge. 

I'd like to share a simple mindfulness exercise that has brought me back to tranquility during difficult ticcing episodes. 

Finding a comfortable seat, I close my eyes and start taking slow, full breaths. But not just shallow chest breathing - I direct each inhalation down into my belly. Focusing on the rise and fall of my abdomen with every breath grounds me in the present moment.

When my mind inevitably wanders, I gently return attention to the breath and the sensations in my body. I notice where I make contact with the chair or floor supporting me. Feeling myself anchored in space brings me out of the habits of panic and anxiety. 

If urges to tic arise, I acknowledge them without judgement and continue breathing. Sometimes releasing a soft sigh helps discharge the building tension. Meeting the discomfort with curiosity often diminishes its intensity.

With practice, I'm able to find oases of calm amidst the unrelenting storms of Tourette’s. Though brief, these moments of quiet mind training accumulate. Off the meditation cushion, I can recall the sensation of stillness when tics threaten to overwhelm me. 

Have I eliminated all tics through meditation? Of course not - this is a lifelong journey. But by regularly tuning into the present, I've reduced their control over me. I'm no longer so tossed about by every passing urge. 

There is peace to be found, even in the most turbulent seas of the mind and body. By returning to the breath again and again, I uncover the stillness that lies beneath the churning. This is the refuge I never stop seeking.