Meditation 101: How To Start Your Journey
Meditation might be a word you typically hear and think “I’ll never be able to do that”. We know how intimidating it sounds – who can sit still for so long and not think about anything or get distracted? The mind naturally wanders, we know that much. However, there is a way for each and every one of us to slowly learn how to meditate and get better at it over time. In fact, it’s not as difficult as you’d think! Just like any other skill in life, meditation can be learned with some practice and patience. Once you start getting the hang of it, you’ll realize just how invaluable this skill is to have. There are so many physical benefits to meditating: from lower blood pressure, improved blood circulation, less perspiration, less stress, to lower levels of cortisol, meditation does so much more than calm the mind and improve your focus. It truly heals the body in many ways. So, let’s talk about how you can begin your journey and become a meditating pro. Don’t worry, we all have to start somewhere!
Get Comfortable
Find a spot in your home where you’ll be meditating from now on. Sit or lie somewhere you’ll be comfortable to stay for a while. It’s even worth investing in a meditation chair or cushion. It would be best to be somewhere you’ll enjoy sitting – like near a window with a nice view or in a clean space.
Close Your Eyes
Simply close your eyes. It might feel a little weird at first, but you’ll soon get used to it. If you’re feeling a little fancy, you can put on a cooling eye mask or even a restorative eye pillow to take things to the next level.
Breathe
This one is the most crucial step: take the time to pay attention to your breathing. Don’t try and control it or force it to slow down or speed up. Just let your breath flow naturally.
Focus
Now, pay attention to your breathing and how your body moves with each inhalation and exhalation. Take notice of the movement of your body as you breathe in and out. Think about your shoulders, chest, rib cage, and belly. That’s really all you need to do in order to meditate. If you find that your mind starts wandering, it’s okay. Just return your focus back to your breath. Being able to focus for an extended amount of time will take practice, naturally.
Start Gradually
It goes without saying that you won’t be able to sit and meditate for 20 minutes right off the bat. As we’ve mentioned, this is a skill like any other that requires time. Start small – even a few minutes a day. As you feel like you’re improving, add more time every week or so. Don’t rush yourself – it can be easy to become frustrated and lose track of your thoughts, but don’t give up. You’ll slowly get the hang of it as you practice.
