No more excuses–it’s good for you!!
When you meditate, do you find your thoughts wandering often? Do you feel as though you’re wasting time, or worse, more stressed than you were to begin with? You’re not alone. My anxious brain feels like it’s always sprinting a never ending marathon, and it takes an incredible amount of self control to really get something out of a meditation session. However, with a large amount of practice and even more patience, I have learned a few tricks that have made my meditation sessions easier. Here’s a list of tips that have helped me let go and relax while practicing mindfulness.
1. Guided Meditation
There’s something amazing about not having to think about meditating while you;re doing it. Guided meditations take the pressure off of you to do all the work so you can focus on setting intentions and grounding yourself. My personal favorite is Jason Stephenson. His voice is so calming!
2. Frequency music
Music that incorporates frequencies from the solfeggio scale, a sacred scale of six main tones, is meant to heal different aspects of your life. For example, 639 Hz is meant to heal your relationships with others and help you feel more connected to them. This can be in the form of meditative music or Tibetan singing bowls.
3. Sit in a position that is comfortable for you
The position you do your meditations does not have to be sitting criss crossed. You can lay flat on your back, sitting upright on a chair, sitting against a wall with your legs outstretched — whatever is best suited for you! The most important thing is that your spine is straight and you are in a neutral, relaxed state. Try out different positions to see which works best for you.
4. Breathwork
The breath is a helpful tool for grounding yourself when you feel your mind start to drift off. To counteract this, I like to take three breaths by inhaling for a count of three, holding for three, then exhaling for three. It gives me something else to focus on and eases my mind a bit.
5. Aromatherapy
Your environment is vital to your ability to relax and I’ve always been drawn to good scents to set the vibe. This can be in the form of candles, incense or an oil diffuser. It just adds a little something to the room.
By now, we all know that we should meditate in some form or another based on the countless physiological and mental benefits, but it’s much easier said than done. Especially if you are more prone to anxiety or overthinking, your brain can feel like a prison when your thoughts run your life. This is exactly why you need to show up for yourself and just do it, it really makes a difference. Setting apart just five or ten minutes in your day can change your whole mood and the course of your day. Hopefully these tips can give you a place to start in forming this hugely beneficial habit. I believe in you!