Meditation Top Tips

Meditation is one of those things that most of us would love to do but perhaps feel unsure how and what to do or just can’ t seem to make it sustainable.

So, here’s some simple tips to get you of and meditating.

• Find out your “Why”! What’s the reason you want to meditate? My reason was to try and help with stress and my inability to slow down. Go, go, go, all the time. Exhausting.
• Start slow and gradual – Begin with 5 minutes. Once you’ve mastered that, add small increments of time but keep it doable. e.g., 5, 10, 15 minutes. Don’t do too much, too soon. Take your time.
• Set aside the time in your day – I find it easiest first thing in the morning. Out of bed, meditate. The mind tends to be less busy in the morning before the day kicks in, I find. Find a time that works and suits you. It’s a very individual thing.
• Be comfy – Find a position that works for you and that you can maintain comfortably. Sitting in a chair, on the floor or even laying down (as long as you can stay awake). Use props, cushions, pillows, blankets that help you get comfortable and supported.
• Find an “Anchor” – Find something that you can focus on to begin with, your breathing, body sensations, affirmation, a mantra, guided meditations can all be used just to give your mind something to focus on. There are loads of free stuff on the internet.
• Awareness – If your mind wanders (which it will) the sweet spot is actually the space between you thinking and you catching yourself being aware that you are thinking. This isn’t a negative, it’s actually the complete opposite. The “noticing” is the magic. Once you notice, you go back to your chosen “Anchor” and repeat this process, over and over again.
• Create a habit – Do it everyday so it becomes habitual. I have found in the past, missing a day made such a difference to my consistency. What made it sustainable for me was to do it every day, even when I thought “what’s the point.” Slow, consistent, steady progress.
• Be kind with yourself – Meditation is like marathon running. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it. Just let yourself feel frustrated when you do. Let yourself feel bored. Be patient and consistent. Just when you feel you’re not progressing is when you make the breakthroughs.Be kind with yourself

I cannot imagine my day without meditation and I’m so glad I persevered. My day and my life are just not the same without it. The transformation for me has been worth all of the effort.