Meditation: Mindful Tips for Beginners
Meditation can be a game-changer in anyone's life and that is why we keep hearing about this old practice and its different techniques. It is a fact that meditation brings several benefits on all levels, from mental to physical. This ancient practice has been proven to reduce stress, improve mood, strengthen the immune system, lower blood pressure, and even lengthen lifespan.
However, implementing a new habit poses a challenge, because it can be hard to stick to it long enough to experience the benefits and make it a habit. One of the tricks is to insert this activity into an existing routine. For instance, you may have a morning ritual or a routine when you arrive home. Let's say that when you wake up, you open the windows and drink water, this can be a signal to meditate. Or let's say that when you arrive home from school or work, you first put down your things and take off your shoes, this can be your cue to meditate. Having a designated place for meditation also helps. This way you will reduce friction and resistance.
Meditation is not about going completely blank and thinking about nothing. It's about focusing on the present moment. Use a journal to track your progress and feelings, journaling is a fantastic way to keep motivated.
To start meditating, all you have to do is find a quiet space and sit comfortably with your back straight. Then, close your eyes and start focusing on your breath. Try focusing on the feeling of air going in and out of your nose or mouth, you can also check our article about breathing techniques. Meditation can also be practiced with open eyes and a soft gaze, however for beginners meditating with closed eyes is much easier because it means fewer distractions.
After a while, try focusing on how you feel at that moment: what you are thinking about, and any emotions that come up for you at the moment. Try this simple exercise for 5 to 10 minutes each day and after that make a log on your journal. of what you noticed. I found that this exercise was helpful to me because I would be completely focused on the meditation and not really paying much attention to the world around me, so when I tried this out it brought into perspective how easily we can lose track of our emotions.
Meditation is a great way to take a break from the stresses of everyday life. Meditation can be practiced in many different ways. Some people like to meditate while sitting cross-legged on the floor, others prefer to meditate while walking or even meditate while they're commuting. It doesn't really matter how you choose to meditate, just make sure you practice daily and stick with it!
The benefits of meditation are well-known and include reduced stress levels, better focus, improved memory, and an increased sense of wellbeing. It may not happen overnight but if you start practicing today your life will be much happier tomorrow!