If you are getting haphazard results with your meditation, I have 5 tips that can help enhance your meditation practice starting today. I used to get so distracted when trying to meditate, because my mind would wander…a lot.
But once I got the hang of it, I got much better results. Meditation helps me to calm racing thoughts, lessen anxiety in strange or uncomfortable situations, and otherwise improve my mental health.
Meditation was also crucial for helping me get off of prescription drugs for depression and anxiety, which I believe I never needed but became addicted to nonetheless.
Hello and welcome to Fearlessly Holistic.
My name is Irma and I want to share my journey to improved health by eating whole foods, moving my body and eliminating stress as much as possible.
It is my hope to inspire you to make daily changes. Why? Because eating fresh, seasonal food, getting some sunshine, and reducing stress is the best way to increase longevity. But you do not want just a long life.
You want a quality long life, and you want to look and feel your best while you live it.
My blog posts are my opinion and the results of things that I have tried that either worked for me or didn’t. My opinions are for informational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. Medical advice should always be obtained from a qualified medical professional for any health conditions or symptoms associated with them. As well, there may be affiliate links in this post. Read more here.
Studies show that meditation improves anxiety levels 60% of the time.
Aside from this, it has been proven to impact sleep quality and reduce the risk of being hospitalized for coronary diseases. For many, meditation offers a tranquil escape from the fast-paced world.
However, despite their efforts, some still struggle to unlock its mental health potential and reap its benefits. Here are five effective strategies to help you meditate better if you’re one of them.
5 Tips For Enhancing Your Meditation Practice
Start as early as possible
Experts advise meditating first thing in the morning.
Your mind is less stacked up in the morning, and your meditation period can put you in the right frame of mind for the rest of the day. Moreover, it is easier to get it done when you have fewer things to worry about.
As the day progresses and you get busier, the temptation to bump your meditation time off your to-do list is stronger.
Don’t worry if your mind wanders
It’s common for people to give up on meditation because their minds keep wandering. That was my experience in the beginning of my journey to improving my mental health.
While this may seem frustrating, you shouldn’t let it discourage you. Also, don’t get angry at yourself, as that might put you in a bad state of mind.
Instead, re-focus anytime you feel other thoughts are intruding.
You may have to do this several times in one sitting, but it will get easier with time.
Embrace non-judgmental awareness
Aside from dealing with the frustrations of a wandering mind, it’s common for judgemental thoughts, emotions, and sensations to arise.
Rather than engaging with or judging them as good or bad, embrace those thoughts objectively. You mustn’t write off your feelings when they come. Instead, ascertain how they make your body feel.
Don’t try attaching good or bad labels to your feelings or thoughts.
That will help you to develop a non-judgmental awareness and cultivate a sense of inner detachment.
It’s easier this way to experience a greater sense of peace and mental clarity.
Meditation is meant to clear unhelpful thinking and allow you to make decisions from a calm and rational mental state. As you practice meditation, try to seek out other ways that complement your meditation practice to create a system that works for you.
Find and create the perfect space
Your location can affect your meditation, so keep this in mind.
For instance, finding peace can be extremely challenging in a cluttered and noisy area, especially if you’re just starting your meditation experience.
Therefore, finding and creating the perfect space is essential.
It could be in your home, office, or the park, so keep this in mind. For me personally, if I get a chance to go somewhere in nature (touch grass!), I try to listen to the sounds of nature and this always calms me, making meditation easier.
You also need to be comfortable, so add elements for this purpose.
Items like a comfortable mat and sweet-smelling fragrance (for aromatherapy) can help you focus better.
You can also invest in meditation kits from brands such as Ungloo, with the right cushions to support your back and improve your sitting posture.
Practice consistency and patience
Meditation takes time, and you’ll need all the patience you can muster.
Aside from being patient, practice consistency. Set aside a specific time each day for your meditation practice, even if it’s just a few minutes.
Also, do your best to meditate at the same place in the same position. Over time, this consistency will help you meditate better.
Conclusion
The best thing I ever did for myself was to learn how to manage my stress. Meditating is a key component of that.
Now I find that when others around me are falling apart, I can calmly help them organize their thoughts. People gravitate to me for this reason, and I am happy to help others learn how to focus their minds in stressful times.
I have learned how to dissolve the noises of life when I am out in nature and just focus on listening for the wind in the trees, birds chirping, or just watching clouds float by. This is one way that I have enhanced my basic meditation practice.
Holism targets overall wellness, and when we are well, we only get better with age.
Eat the best food that you can afford to give your body the building blocks it needs for optimal health, longevity, and looking good for as long as possible.
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Until next time, here’s to our health!
-Irma
