It’s hard to talk about wellness without including the practice of meditation and its many benefits. I’m a big fan of meditation mostly because I’ve seen how well my days go when I make time for a mindful practice that draws my energy in and allows me to assess my thought patterns.
Meditation can seem overwhelming to the uninitiated. I thought meditation had to be done in a specific way before I started doing it regularly. This perceived specificity made it feel like a chore until I realised that if I really wanted to enjoy the benefits of meditation I needed to personalise my practice.
Here are a few tips that helped me get started with mediation.
Keep it convenient
Almost all the wellness sages will tell you that the best time to meditate is first thing in the morning and they are not wrong but if that doesn’t fit in with your schedule you’ll be less inclined to start. The beauty of meditation is that it can be done anywhere and any time of day. Pick a time of day that is most convenient for you.
Sit comfortably
Find a quiet place to sit comfortably in. You can sit in any position you like that is comfortable. As a beginner, start by sitting for 2 minutes a day for a week. Don’t worry about the how, just start. Most people worry about where to sit, what to sit on, how to breathe, and then never get started. Just start by sitting comfortably.
Just breathe
Close your eyes and sit quietly, your thoughts will come and go. Start with a few deep breaths, this should help you start to relax, then as you begin your meditation your breathing should return to normal. When you first start meditating it is helpful to count your breath in for a count of 4 and out for a count of 4.
Use guided meditations
I am a big fan of guided meditations. If you’re like me and you struggle to quiet your mind as you sit there in absolute silence trying to focus on your breath, sometimes a guided mediation can help take the edge off. Download a meditation app (check out my post on some I love) and find a mediation you can try.
End with gratitude
Whether you meditated for 2 minutes or 20 minutes, slowly open your eyes, adjust to your surroundings and be grateful that you made time for yourself.
