There are all kinds of reasons for wanting to meditate, but getting started with your practice can be challenging. Whether you want to give it a go to help you relax or you’re interested in learning more about how to balance yourself, meditation is easily accessible. You can do meditation from just about anywhere, but what happens when you’re sitting down in a quiet place and have no idea what happens next? Most people who feel like they’ve failed at meditation simply need a little bit of guidance to steer them in the right direction. If you think this is you, then take a look at these top tips.
Try guided meditation
Sitting down and trying to make your mind go blank is no easy feat, but that’s not necessarily what meditation is about. There are lots of guided meditations out there that you can listen to at home or even while on the train or in the park. These will help you to focus your mind and become more aware of the present moment. If you don’t think an online course will hold your attention, consider attending a meditation class. Sometimes being in a restful, purposeful space is enough to allow yourself to fully submit to the experience.
Be consistent
Meditation is a kind of skill that you need to build over time. Even if your first few attempts don’t seem to be working for you, it’s important to stick at it. Over time, you’ll notice that your practice develops and matures into something that works for you. You don’t even need to set aside a lot of time – meditating for just ten minutes can do a beginner the world of good when they’re trying to build a habit. Try to find a moment in your day when you have ten minutes to spare and show up to meditate at that time each day. This could be in the morning before work or in the evening before bed.
Let go of expectations
Everyone has a slightly different idea of what meditation will be for them, but it’s better to work this out on your own. You might have read blogs or spoken to friends about the transformative effects meditation had on their lives, but it’s a deeply personal experience and never quite the same for everyone. Release everything you thought you knew about meditation and sink wholly into the moment. Your practice will gradually lead you towards the results you really needed all along.
Remember your breathing
Meditation focuses a lot on your breathing, so it’s important to be aware of this throughout your session. This is one of the reasons why guided meditation can be so useful for beginners, as someone else can help you to find the right rhythm. If you’re worried about keeping up with different breathing patterns, consider practising this before your meditation session. Taking yoga classes can be especially helpful for those who struggle with maintaining a regular breathing pattern.
Photo by Omid Armin on Unsplash
Author: Mandy Kloppers
Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.
