Have you always wanted to try meditation but are worried you’ll find it too challenging? You’re not alone.
My advice to you would be to just begin. Often, when we just take that first step and begin, whatever we’re doing won’t seem so big or scary anymore.
Here are 3 tips to help you start a mediation practice:
(1) Start small – Just start with 5 minutes. Set a timer if you need to. Focus on sitting comfortably with your eyes closed for just five minutes. If you’re new to meditation, it will probably feel like the longest five minutes of your life. You may find yourself having hundreds of thoughts, judging yourself, opening your eyes to peek at the clock and even making “to do lists” in your head. Don’t let that throw you off. All of us started this way. Just get started and start small.
(2) Meditate in nature – One of the best ways to shift your mind from the bustle of life to a more serene calmness is simply to get out and meditate in nature. Find a quiet area where you can sit in the grass, on a rock, on the beach, etc and just notice what you hear when you close your eyes. Listen to the waves, beach, wind, trees etc. It’s much easier to relax in nature sometimes than it is in your home, where kids or pets need your attention, the phone might ring or you’re staring at your pile of laundry.
(3) Be Grateful – If your attention is all over the place when you sit to meditate, try finding three small things you are grateful for. It could be as simple as having a warm bed to sleep in at night, that delicious fruit smoothie you had for breakfast or the sunny day. Choosing to focus on what we are grateful for forces us to shift from a more pessimistic outlook to one of gratitude. You can’t possibly feel depressed or anxious when you’re thinking about all the things you’re grateful for. Give it a try.