Three Easy Steps to Start a Meditation Practice
Are you someone who has tried to start a meditation practice and haven't been able to figure out how to clear your mind and just BREATH! If so, you should know that there is no wrong way to meditate and that you can never completely stop your mind from having thoughts. You cannot be a meditation failure...ever, and it's not too late to start!
Spending just five minutes out of every day can make a difference, because you are doing something positive for yourself. You can use tools like yoga, mindfulness, and meditation to create more positive thoughts and emotions in your life and to become more present. Our bodies do a great job of telling us when we need to rest, but our minds continue to race on unless we consciously take time to slow down.
It is just as important to take care of our minds as it is to take care of our bodies (possibly more important). Our happiness depends on our ability to live in the present moment. So many times, all we think about is the past - living moments over and over again, or the future (when will I get to the place I want to be in my career, when will I get to take a vacation, etc. True happiness comes when we can be grateful for what we have and live in the here and now. Meditation helps us to realize that we find happiness within ourselves.
You don't need a dimly lit room, or special candles or music (although these things are nice) to get started and you don't have to do anything special to meditate, but here are a few tips to get you started.
The most important thing is to have a focus because this gives you something to come back to when your mind starts to wander. I usually like to focus on my breath. When a thought comes into my mind, I gently release the thought and remind myself to come back to my breath. I try to breath in though my nose and out through my nose the same way that I would if I were doing yoga. This is very helpful to me.
Another technique is to have a mantra that you repeat over and over in your mind. Your mantra could be anything from "I am love, or I am peace, to a Sanskrit mantra such as So Hum which simply means "I am".
There are also many meditation apps that you can download for free on your phone. I find these helpful when my mind is so busy that I can't seem to sit still. Most of the time, there is calming music which can be helpful. Two that I especially like are Headspace and Simple Habit.
I encourage you to take five minutes, or more, out of your day to do something for you and your mental health! You will be happier and healthier as a result!
I hope that you will try meditation and it will become a part of your daily life!
I would love to know if you meditate and how it has changed your life! Please leave comments below and let me know! Follow me on Instagram @crazyblondelifeblog.