Meditating for noobs

Does meditating STRESS you out?
 
Yeah, I get it. You know meditating is SUPPOSED to…

  • Reduce stress and stress-related illnesses
  • Decrease anxiety & depression
  • Reduce pain
  • Improve memory and intelligence
  • Increase efficiency
  • Lessen frequency of asthmatic attacks and other allergic reactions
  • Increase energy
  • Process emotions properly (sources cited below)

…but you really have a hard time sticking to it, don’t you?
 
Samesies.

SO, TODAY I’M SHARING SOME PRACTICAL TIPS FOR LOCKING DOWN A MEDITATION ROUTINE

Schedule it

Avoid the temptation to “get to it later”.

Create an environment

Carve out a quiet, distraction-free space.

Make it a ritual

Our brains LOVE routine. Head to your corner, light up that bougie incense and have FUN with it!

Use a strategy

I often start by focusing on breathing in and out. Then I give myself some time to (dare I say it?) THINK. Yep – I actually use the quiet time to sort through some thoughts. Finally, I spend the last few minutes meditating on my personal mantra. Oftentimes I find people are intimidated at the lack of structure and need a little direction getting started.

Change your approach

Fam, you’re neva gonna clear your mind. Surriously. But you WILL get better at allowing your thoughts to flow without needing to follow them.

Bonus tips

Remember – When you feel like you don’t have time to do it is when you need it most.

Helpful Gateways – Insight Timer, StopBreatheThink, Calm & Headspace

Tea Candles – Cuz why wouldn’t you stare at fire if you have the option

Incense – Morning Star on Amazon comes with a delightful variety of scents plus you can get you a cute ass lotus incense holder

Meditation Pillow – Them hips will thank ya

Final Note: The first time you did a pushup or a squat it was probably shaky. Picture your meditation muscles this way. The more you practice, the more comfortable it will become.

Sources

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23149426
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4895748/#ref7
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26445019
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16951585
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/act.2010.16402?journalCode=act
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acm.2006.12.817
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10615809308248383

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