Meditation Tips for Beginners

Meditation is a powerful way to boost your mood, improve your health, reduce stress, and build stronger connections to people in your life. Regular meditation can help you find balance and peace in an increasingly busy world.

When you first start meditation, it's challenging to sit for long periods and have a genuinely empty mind. It's hard to disconnect from the outside environment. Meditation is possible for even the busiest of minds, but it takes patience and practice. Here are some helpful tips for learning how to manage your thoughts and learn how to meditate.

Create a Routine

Scheduling your time to meditate can make it easier to establish meditation as a habit. When you create or begin to create a habit, you're more likely to take time to practice every day. It's also very effective to habit stacking, like pairing it with your morning journaling or bedtime self-care routine.

Set Up a Calm Space

To meditate, you need to minimize the distractions around you. It's not easy to enter a meditative space when you have a pile of laundry near you reminding you of things you need to get done. Find a quiet, clutter-free, comfortable space where you can help create a peaceful atmosphere to help you meditate. Spray Relax Aromatherapy Lavender Mist on your cushions or a quick mist in the air to help create a calm environment.

Just Breathe

Many people tend to shy away from meditation because they think it's a complicated practice but the practice centers around bringing your awareness to your breath. Take some deep breaths and focus on how your breathing impacts your body, how your lungs expand, and your body relaxes as you release your breath.

Get Comfortable 

You'll want to ensure you're comfortable with your back straight and your chin slightly tucked. Wear comfortable clothing and make sure you are supported if you need it. Grab a cushion a blanket and sit cross-legged if it's comfortable. When you are in comfortable clothing and sitting on a comfortable seat, relaxation gets a little easier and so does entering into a meditative space.

Let Distractions Come and Go

It's easy for your mind to wander and for you to get distracted. Don't beat yourself up if your mind does start to wander. Notice the thoughts and practice redirecting those thoughts without attaching yourself to those distractions.  

Start Small

A few minutes can feel like an hour when you first start meditating. You don't want to overwhelm yourself. Try for a few minutes each session and work your way up until you can meditate peacefully for at least 30 minutes at a time.

Keep a Meditation Journal

Meditation is all about taking a pulse on your body and emotions and finding balance. Start a journal to take notes of your feelings and any feelings you notice in your body. It helps you keep track of your progress and help you stay motivated.

You don't need to spend a lot of time in meditation to reap the benefits. Meditation can look like whatever you want it to look like, it’s your journey. The most important is getting started!