How To Start Meditating

Meditation has been practiced for thousands of years in cultures around the world. It’s used to help calm the mind and suppress wandering thoughts. The techniques used during meditation have a number of physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits that are backed by scientists, philosophers, religious leaders, and spiritual gurus alike. Most meditation forms primarily emphasize breathing, stillness, and mindfulness to achieve a higher state of relaxation and focus. Meditation is often used in place of or in conjunction with other forms of healing, like a gratitude practice, to reduce stress and improve overall health.

Meditation is not just for yogis and spiritual seekers; it’s for EVERYONE! In fact, meditation is used by some of the most successful CEOs, executives, and celebrities, from Arianna Huffington to Oprah Winfrey to Jerry Seinfeld. Meditation continues to grow in popularity for good reason; the lasting effects positively impact one’s health! 

Some of the many BENEFITS of meditation include:

• Emotional health improvement
• Reduced stress, worry, and anxiety
• Increased patience, relaxation, and mental focus
• Improved energy levels and productivity

These reasons (along with so many more) keep me motivated and committed to my daily practice.  Now I know that meditating may seem daunting because it can feel difficult to slow down, focus your mind, and come to a state of peace while living in a world that is constantly go-go-go. But with so many benefits and endless resources and tools out there, there’s no reason to not give it a try!

Here are my top five simple tips to get you started today:

Comfort is King

Part of meditation requires finding stillness, beginning with the body. But this can be challenging if you’re in an awkward position focusing on something that’s irritating you. When you start your meditation practice, find a place that you can feel good in – a chair, a couch, or anywhere you find peaceful.  Heck, you can even lie down which is how I mediate every morning before starting my day.

Slowly but Surely

There’s no need to jump into a 30-minute meditation right off the bat. The key is to start slowly by closing your eyes for just five minutes and gradually build up your practice. It takes commitment and dedication to develop a consistent practice, so I recommend committing for 30 Days, five minutes per day.  #meditateeverydamnday

There’s an App for That

Living in a digital age, there’s an app for everything! Use a meditation app, like Insight Timer (my personal favorite) or Calm to help you get started. You can opt to set the timer with a bell for 5 minutes or select a guided meditation that resonates with you.  Some of my favorites include Sarah Blondin, Davidji, and Tara Brach.

Accountability is Queen

While meditation is typically an individual practice, some things are more fun with friends and it can feel easier to start out with an accountability partner. So grab a friend, spouse, or sibling who’s also intrigued by the idea of meditation and do a 30-day challenge together.

Wake & Meditate

Instead of pushing off meditating by saying you’ll do it later, try to begin each day with a practice. That may mean waking up a few minutes earlier, but it will be well worth it!  Every morning I wake up, use the bathroom, scrape my tongue to remove toxins that build up overnight, drink 16 ounces of water, and then snuggle back into bed in corpse pose, set timer, and off I go.  This is a simple way to fit meditation into your schedule, no matter what you have on your to-do list for the rest of the day.  And believe me, it’s the best way to start your day!

Shoot me an email ([email protected]) if you have any questions or need further support.  And while you are here, why not CLICK HERE to book a complimentary 30-minute coaching call with either myself or Me-Shell!