Mediation is a practice that can help you feel more relaxed and focused. It’s a way of being more mindful, paying attention to the present moment without judging it. You don’t have to do anything special or change your lifestyle to become mindful; it’s something you can do while going about your daily life.
Mediation is a way of paying attention to your experiences in the present moment. So often, our minds are so busy that we miss what’s happening around us. We get caught up in thoughts about the future or past and forget where we are in time and space. Mediation can help you stay present with what’s happening now, whatever it might be.
You may have heard that mindfulness is like meditation—and yes, it is similar! But mindfulness isn’t just sitting quietly with your eyes closed while you chant Om or focus on your breath (though those things are often included). Instead, mindfulness means being aware of what’s happening now: how people feel around you, how things smell, how food tastes, and even noticing how hard it can sometimes be to concentrate on one thing instead of another.
Meditation has been shown to improve focus and concentration, reduce stress and anxiety, enhance overall health, increase happiness and lessen depression. So it’s easy to see why mindfulness has gained so much popularity in recent years: numerous benefits are associated with practising it regularly!
Here are some tips on how to start meditating and practising mindfulness:
How do you start?
The easiest way to get started with meditation is to start with a guided meditation.
Guided meditations are designed to help you relax and focus and can be an excellent entry point for beginners. If you’re new to meditation, try starting with a brief guided meditation that lasts about three minutes. This will give you a taste of what it feels like to practice mindfulness without getting bogged down by the details of how it works (or doesn’t).
When choosing which guided meditations are right for your needs, remember that some may be better suited for specific purposes like sleep or stress relief than others. Try using apps like Headspace or Calm to learn more about types of meditations.
Choose a time of day that works for you—morning or evening might be best if they work with your schedule, but any time will do. Just remember not to meditate right before bed or after waking up; these times can make it harder for the mind and body to relax.
Set aside 5 minutes from your day (or find another amount of time that works for you). You don’t need a fancy meditation space either; the important thing is setting up a routine so that meditation becomes part of your daily life instead of just something extra on top of everything else there!
Mindfulness Practice On The Go
You can practice mindfulness anywhere, anytime. It doesn’t require any special equipment or environment. To begin, stop and notice your breath. Notice where you feel the sensation of breathing in your body (i.e., your nose, throat/chest). Breathe deeply and exhale slowly through your nose with a long “ah” sound. Pay attention to how that feels physically—how does it feel to breathe fully into all parts of your lungs?
Stop and notice what thoughts are passing through your mind now: Are there any repetitive worries or negative self-talk? How does it feel emotionally? Is there anything that gives you joy right now? What sensations do you notice in the body right now—perhaps tight muscles or tension somewhere? What is happening around you right now—what sounds do you hear, what is nearby, who else is around, etc.? And finally, how are you acting towards others at this time—is the way we’re relating to anyone else appropriate given the situation we’re experiencing together right now? Yes, it is that simple.
Conclusion
I hope I have been able to demystify meditation and help you feel more confident about starting on your journey. Mindfulness is an integral part of modern life. It’s easy to forget how simple and accessible it can be. Remember that the only way to fail at mindfulness is not trying!