Have you ever thought about starting mediation but not sure where to begin?
It seems, wherever we look these days, despite it being a technique that has been used for thousands of years, meditation has become very popular. We’re hearing all the time that meditation is good for us, & for good reasons too. Regular practice has been scientifically proven to have enormous positive physical and psychological benefits for us. Here are just some…
- Helps with overthinking
- Manages stress & anxiety
- Decreases blood pressure
- Improves quality of life
- Decreases symptoms of depression
- Improved ability to cope in stressful situations
- Improves patience
- Improves sleep
- Can help control food cravings & impulsivity
- Helps improve kind thoughts & feelings towards yourself
- Helps increase imagination & creativity
- Helps with problem-solving
To begin with, it’s a good idea to know that there are different forms of meditation. The key to a long term joyful practice is to find the style of meditation you enjoy the most, then create a regular habit. Styes include mindfulness meditations, mantra or contemplation meditations, creative visualisation meditations & more.
The most common reason why people don’t meditate is because they believe that it’s too difficult, they can’t do it or they have an overly thinking mind. We can have an expectation that after one or two weeks of practicing, we are going to become like a Zen Master, only to discover your body feels agitated or your mind becomes even more busier, then we label that as wrong. We feel frustrated & believe “It’s not for me”.
The important thing to remember is everyone is individual, we all get out of the meditation whatever we need personally for us & each meditation can be a different experience, just let go of expectations & trust in that.
Finding a time that you are most likely to not be disturbed will improve your chances of developing a consistent practice. Setting your alarm clock 10 minutes earlier first thing in the morning, before everyone else in the house wakes up, will help you start your day in a calm positive way. When we start our day in a calm way, helps set the tone for the rest of the day to follow. Alternatively find a quiet space at lunchtime, or before you sleep to end the day peacefully for a better, more restful night’s sleep. Either way, developing & creating a consistent daily habit of at least 10 minutes a day will have significant positive results.
Taking part in a meditation class is a great way to help you get started, plus you have the added benefit of hearing other people’s experiences which can feel comforting to know your struggles are not just unique to you. It might sound strange, but I always find it easier & more enjoyable to meditate within a group, plus you’ll have the extra benefit of meeting new people & being part of friendly community.
Yours sincerely in good mental health, Nichola
Life Coach, Hypnotherapy, Meditation facilitator, Pilates instructor.