Whether it’s for 5 or 20 minutes, meditation is an easy way for you to incorporate self-care into your daily life. Strongly recommended by healthcare professionals, meditation is linked to a better quality of life and improved overall wellbeing. Meditation is an activity that forces you to take it slow, easing you into a sense of serenity. However, in our fast-paced lives, finding inner peace is easier said than done. To help you meditate better and reap its wonderful benefits, try incorporating these five tips into your next meditation session.
Create a Comfortable Environment
The journey to inner peace starts from the outside! Loose, comfortable clothing can help you feel more relaxed. Accessories that may distract you, like watches or bracelets, should also be removed. If you can, try being barefoot. Choose a quiet and clean space before you start. An ideal location should have gentle lighting and a cozy atmosphere, one where you can put yourself at ease. Having cushions and chairs around may also help you get into comfortable positions.
Get Some Warm-up Exercises Beforehand
Getting in a quick workout before your meditation session can do wonders for your circulation and prevent cramping. Meditation requires you to maintain a proper physical posture throughout the session. Hence, you won’t be able to focus on mediation if you are constantly trying to maintain your balance! Thus, whether it is yoga with friends or some basic stretching exercises, doing some light physical activities can help to relax your body and make meditating much easier.
Build Up the Length of Your Sessions Gradually
If you are just starting, there is no shame in taking it slowly and increasing the duration of your sessions over time. Start small. Maybe a 2-minute session in the first week, then 5 minutes when you feel more confident and comfortable. Keep the increments small and stay focused on your body’s responses. Eventually, meditating will become second nature to you and be just another part of your life.
Give Yourself the Kindness You Deserve
Meditation can be challenging. It is easy to feel frustrated if you become attached to certain thoughts and struggle to get them out of your head. Some days may be more difficult than others. It is important not to give up. On days where it’s trying, make sure to reward yourself. Take a break if you need one. It may also help to have a supportive network of friends to discuss your spiritual endeavors. Friends can give you some much-needed perspective on your progress.
Follow Guided Meditations
A wide variety of meditation aids and resources can be found in YouTube videos, podcasts, and meditation albums. If you prefer a little more structure in your approach, these can be wonderful companions for your meditation journey. Meditation is an incredibly personal process and some have found that verbal and aural cues help them focus better. An album of your favorite songs might also just do the trick!
With the benefits that meditation can bring for our physical and mental health, it makes sense that more people are incorporating it into their daily routines. As you start your meditation journey, or even if you have already begun, try using some of these tips to make your next session even more rewarding.
