The Beginner's Guide to Meditation (5 Tips to Make Meditation Easier)

The Beginner's Guide to Meditation (5 Tips to Make Meditation Easier)

 woman meditating

Every time I make the time to meditate, I always feel better - without fail. Calm, focused, centered. I feel it all. Then why does it seem so difficult to make meditation a part of my daily routine? Great question. That's why I put together my top 5 tips to make meditation easier for me, for you, for anyone looking to incorporate a little more ZEN into their daily ritual.

Sounds like you? Read on.

5 TIPS TO MAKE MEDITATION EASIER:

1. Start small.

I always thought if I wanted to get the full benefit of meditation, I needed to carve out 30 - 45 minutes to sit and practice. If this time commitment sounds too daunting, start small. I started with 3 minutes. Worked up to 5 minutes. And now I spend about 10 mintues per day meditating. Give yourself grace if meditation on Monday looks different than meditation on Friday. If you have 3 minutes, give it all you got. But don't worry if you can't dedicate a ton of time every day. Even a few minutes can help you feel centered and focused throughout your day!

2. Associate meditation time with another daily habit.

This is one of my favorite tips. What are some things you do daily? Brush your teeth. Eat breakfast. Nosh on a ZEN Bar. Think about something you do daily and associate meditation with that habit. It helps meditation become part of your daily routine with ease. 

3. Find an app.

It may seem daunting to sit still and be with your thoughts for a prolonged period of time. Especially when we're so used to scrolling through our phone or being in front of a screen 24/7. Apps offer guided meditation to help you get that much closer to your moment of ZEN. Some apps I'm loving right now are: Calm Headspace, Insight Timer, and Aura.

4. Set an intention

Before beginning your meditation, what would you like to get out of it? Do you want to feel less anxious about external stressors? Do you want to be more patient? Do you want to sleep better? Think about why you're meditating and what your desired outcome is. Focus on your "why."

5. Find some place comfortable.

Although this sounds like a simple one, it's so critical to your practice. Otherwise you'll keep thinking about how uncomfortable you are as opposed to what you're gaining from the meditation. Some people choose a yoga mat or a comfortable chair, whatever works best for you. Experiment and find your go-to comfy spot.

And always remember - you do you! I like to meditate at night before bed to help me sleep. As a result, I usually listen to guided meditations for sleep, and I'm totally ok with it if I fall asleep during the meditation. I set my intention, and the desired outcome helped me. That's what it's all about. So be patient with yourself, give yourself grace, meditation doesn't have to be PERFECT. It just has to work for YOU. So let go of expectations. And just open your heart & mind. Sending all the ZEN vibes your way!


2 comments

  • Mary Harris

    Very helpful tips on meditation! Thanks!

  • Mary Harris

    Thanks so much for the post about meditation tips. I will be using your tips as I start to practice (emphasis on the practice)!


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