So, you’ve decided to begin your journey of meditation, but where do you start? Meditating for the first time can feel chaotic and anything but peaceful if you’re not used to it. While it takes time and practice to see the benefits of meditation, there are some things you should know before you make your first attempt at it. Here are some common questions and tips for how to meditate for the first time.
How do you start a meditation habit?
If you want to start meditating regularly and incorporate the habit into your routine, you should consider why you’re doing it. Having a goal in mind, such as feeling more relaxed or easing anxiety, will help you stay accountable and keep you motivated to meditate regularly. Make your meditation environment comfortable and welcoming so you can look forward to your sessions.
Choose a time for meditation that you can stick to. Your meditation time could be in the mornings, right before you have breakfast, or in the evenings after you brush your teeth. By meditating at the same time every day, you will create a habit that you can actually include in your daily routine.
How do I meditate, being a beginner?
As a beginner, you need to find a way that makes meditation work for you. This might include trying out different types of meditation to see what you enjoy most. As time goes by, you can move on to another kind which might be more challenging to master. Here is a sample meditation practice you can get started with today.
- Sit down in a place that feels comfortable to you. You could choose your favourite chair or a cushion on the floor. Try to maintain good posture while still feeling relaxed.
- Close your eyes and pay attention to how your body feels. Make sure to wear loose clothes and get rid of any discomfort you might be experiencing.
- Breathe normally and turn your thoughts towards your breath. Acknowledge any sounds you might be hearing, but don’t let them distract you. Instead, put them to the back of your mind. If you feel your mind wander, refocus your thoughts on your breathing.
- Try to avoid feelings of frustration if you feel your thoughts drifting. Wandering thoughts are perfectly normal. Just refocus on your breathing and strive to still your mind as much as you can.
What are some good tips for getting into a meditation routine?
In the beginning, set a goal to meditate for only a few minutes at a time. That way, you can easily include this new habit into your routine without worrying about finding the time. Slowly increase your meditation time until you can truly focus your mind.
Meditation is all about being consistent. You might feel like it’s not working or blame yourself for being unfocused, but you’ll start to notice a difference in your meditation sessions over time. Don’t give up and keep working on your mindfulness.
What is the best time to meditate?
There is no one time of the day that is better for meditation than another. But a good rule of thumb is to meditate when it feels right to you and when you can commit to the practice. If you usually get up in the morning and rush to work, this might not be the best time to sit down and meditate as your mind will be busy with hundreds of thoughts. Feeling too tired isn’t the best for meditating either, as it will make it difficult to focus. Instead, find a moment where you feel calm and ready to spend time on meditation.
What do you think about when you meditate?
Meditation doesn’t mean you shouldn’t think. It’s quite normal to have thoughts in your mind, and not thinking anything isn’t necessarily the goal of meditation. Rather than banning all thinking during meditation, try to focus on something else instead. Depending on the type of meditation you’re engaging in, this could be your breath, a sound, or a physical feeling.
Any thoughts that pop up during your meditation sessions should be gently dismissed without any feelings of anger or frustration. You can picture your thoughts as clouds in the sky. Don't get involved with them, picture them drifting by. Thinking is normal during meditation, and only practice makes perfect.
What are the best tools to buy for your meditation practice?
Anyone can meditate anywhere, and as a beginner, you don’t need much to get started. If you want to meditate regularly, you might benefit from a meditation chair or cushion to help make you comfortable during your sessions. If you enjoy auditory stimulation during meditation, you may want to buy a high-quality gong or a singing bowl. For guided meditation, find an online group or use an app like Insight Timer. You can also look for items that will make your meditation space peaceful and comfortable such as a nice rug, paintings, or some essential oils.
Find Your Zen
Now you’ve got everything you need to get started with meditation. Don’t overthink the process too much, but rather enjoy the moment of calm and let go of any unnecessary thoughts weighing you down. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, meditation should be an enjoyable and relaxing habit. So, take the pressure off yourself, dismiss any high expectations, and you’ll find your Zen.
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