Photo Source and License
Meditation is something that many people don’t particularly like the idea of on the surface. Meditation is something that many people believe involves having to sit cross-legged, close your eyes, and repeat a mantra, like some sort of monk! However, practicing meditation involves a number of simple practices, without needing to go to a yoga studio or have to chant. Meditation is something that has significant benefits on the brain and body and can help you feel more connected, which can reduce stress. Let’s show you how you can benefit from meditating without doing it in a stereotypical way.
Body Scan Meditation
This is something where people focus on relaxing different parts of the body. It’s something you can do as you get ready for sleep at night because it can help you to center yourself and be aware of where you are. It can also help if you are on a soft, cooling mattress so you can actually feel comfortable in where you are. This type of meditation is potentially beneficial if you do not like the idea of having to focus on your breath. It’s something that many people are using in their everyday life because it allows them to check in with hole they are feeling. Additionally, it can help to relieve physical signs of tension and chronic pain.
Mindfulness Meditation
A very popular practice as well. Mindfulness has long been touted as a solution to the ailments of the modern world. In simple terms, mindfulness meditation is about being aware of what you are doing at the present moment. The benefit of being mindful is that you don’t have to meditate in a traditional sense. You could practice mindfulness by doing anything in your daily life, whether it’s brushing your teeth or washing the dishes. But you have to be 100% percent involved in what you are doing and not thinking about the past or the future or being distracted. This is something that is hard to come to terms with because many people’s focus is all over the place. But a more formal mindfulness meditation can benefit here. Sitting and focusing on your breathing in a very short space of time every day can help you to train this part of your brain.
How Can We Start Meditating?
Meditation shouldn’t be this overwhelming thing; it needs to be simple. The key to meditation is about being disciplined and coming to terms with the fact that there will be times when you are going to be distracted. There is no point in trying to meditate for 20-minutes straight because meditation is, in effect, focusing on breathing or meditating on a subject, for example, if you are trying to solve a problem in your life. But one of the best ways to begin is to use the many guided meditation resources on YouTube or apps like Headspace.
If you want to lead a healthier, happier life, meditation could be the missing ingredient. After all, we have to exercise our bodies in order to maintain them; meditation doesn’t have to be hippie-dippie. Instead, we need to view it as a workout for our brain.
