Meditation Tips For Beginners
Have you been feeling tightly wound and more anxious than usual lately? Are you experiencing more stress in your work life or your personal life? If your days in general are starting to feel like they are a little bit more exhausting and emotionally draining lately, then you might want to consider meditation as a method to manage these feelings.
Meditation can be an extremely powerful tool for helping to reduce stress, improve focus and enhance a person’s overall well-being, and whilst the beautiful thing about meditation is that fact that it can be completely different for everyone, it is always a good idea to start on solid, recommended ground! With this in mind, here are some simple tips that can help you on your journey towards restorative meditation.
● Find A Comfortable, Quiet Spot
Find a place that is quiet and comfortable, somewhere where you are going to be able to sit down and spend some time alone without the threat of distractions spoiling the moment.
● Comfortable Posture
When you sit down, sit in a position that you find comfortable. For most people, this will be with your back straight and your shoulders relaxed, either cross legged on a floor cushion, or on a straight-backed chair if you cannot reach the floor.
● Focus On Breathing
Close your eyes and put all your attention into your breathing. Focus on the act of breathing in and out slowly, feeling the air enter and leave your body.
● Unfiltered Thoughts
Thoughts will enter your mind during this action, and it is your job to allow them to come and go, rather than getting caught up in them and having them stick around. Acknowledge them and let them pass by.
● Set A Timer
Start small with your meditation attempts, just five minutes is ideal for beginners. This can then extend to ten minutes. You will grow your ability to be still with your breathing and your unfiltered thoughts for longer and longer periods.
● Be Consistent
Mediation is most helpful when it is performed regularly. Consistency really is key, so try to get at least one session in every day.
● Join A Group
If you find that you prefer some guidance versus doing it on your own, then seek out a meditation group in your local area where you will be able to enjoy the experience with a bunch of like-minded people.
● Try Online Guidance
If you don’t want to find a group, then there are plenty of guided meditation sessions that you can access online and take part in from the comfort of your own home. There are also plenty of apps.
● Be Patient
And lastly, be patient with yourself and your progress! Learning to meditate authentically and beneficially can take some time, so don’t get discouraged if you can’t reach the stage of letting your thoughts leave your mind right away. The more you practice and the more you believe in the process, the more success you will eventually have.
