How To Use Meditation To Create More Peace In Your Life

Photo Credit: Torren Smith

The positive effects of meditation have been widely documented. Research shows that meditation can help reduce stress, promote peace and calm, and improve overall wellbeing. Moreover, meditation is simple to do and can be done anywhere, at any time. All you need is a comfortable place to sit or lie down, and a few minutes to focus on your breath. With just a few minutes of practice, you can begin to experience the benefits of meditation.

Here are a few tips to get you started with meditation:

1. Do not disturb. It is important to find a place where you're comfortable to meditate, as you can do it anywhere, but being comfortable and uninterrupted is key.

2. Direct your attention to your breath. Take deep breaths in through your nose and push the air out through your mouth. Notice the air moving in and out of your lungs. Focus on the sensation of the breath.

3. Release your thoughts. It's normal for your brain to start having spontaneous thoughts. Without judgment, acknowledge the thought, then release it and refocus on your breath.

Set a timer. If it's your first time, try to meditate for 1 minute. With regular practice, you can gradually increase the duration as needed. Allowing your mind to take a break for a few moments and focusing only on your breath will help reduce anxiety and give you a sense of refreshment. The more you practice, the more you can tailor your meditation experiences. You can add scripts, affirmations, scriptures, or body scans.

Here are a few tips to help you make time for meditation:

1. Set aside a specific time each day to meditate. Just like you would set aside time for a meeting or a doctor's appointment, set aside time for meditation.

2. Release yourself from the need for perfectionism. You don't need to meditate for hours on end or sit in perfect silence to derive the benefits. Even a few minutes of meditation can be useful. You can do it before you get out of bed in the morning, or while you're sitting on the toilet if that's the only place you can guarantee to be uninterrupted. Or try it while sitting in your car before going in to work.

3. Make it part of your routine. After a while, you'll find that meditating becomes a part of your daily routine—and you'll start to see the health benefits that come with it.

Goals for Meditating

Meditation is a practice that can be beneficial for both the mind and the body. There are many different types of meditation, and each one can offer different benefits. Some types of meditation can help to improve focus and concentration, while others can help to reduce stress and anxiety. There are even some types of meditation that can help to improve sleep quality.

No matter what your goals are, there is a type of meditation that can help you to achieve them. So if you're looking to improve your well-being, give meditation a try. You might be surprised at how much it can help.

If you are curious about how meditation might be able to help you, please set up a consultation. Here at Healing Conversations, we offer a free 15-minute consultation to go over your needs for therapy and how we might be able to help you, including through tools like meditation.