As we head into the season of winter during the Covid-19 pandemic there are many activities to take part in to manage and regulate our thoughts and emotions. One key practice that comes to mind is daily meditation. Research has proven that meditation can provide a range of health benefits such as increasing memory, attention span and focus. It can support the regulation of your mood and slows the aging process. Most of all I find it elevates your awareness of thoughts. This is key because if you are able to manage your thoughts, you control your mind. If you control your mind, you have control over your life.
Although the most people know the benefits of meditation they find it difficult to take action and make it a daily habit. We all have daily rituals and habits and linking a meditation session to an existing habit is one way to take that first step. I find that meditation first thing in the morning is best to set the tone for your day. Choose a quiet space in your home to use for this practice. I tend to go outdoors onto my deck as the sun in rising or a corner of the home that gives you a sense of peace for the soul. I tend to turn on my fireplace, diffuser and or burn incense. You can start small and meditate for short periods of time where you experience little resistance in the form of distractions or irritability. I recommend starting with 10 minutes which can be easily done by listening to soft and peaceful meditation sounds. Over time and daily practice you will begin to feel the benefits I spoke of above. Once you experience the improvement in your daily mindset you will go from making it a “should” to making it a “must” as your level of well-being, health, peace, and happiness will expand.
You can find plenty guided meditation challenges to get you started by searching Youtube. 2 of my personal favourites leaders in this space are Deepak Chopra and Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. It is easier to settle into the practice by following their guided meditations which will take you through breathing techniques, relaxation, visualization and mantra based sessions.
Are you ready to start meditating? Feel free to reach to me for further guidance at michael@mindbodyvibrance.com
Reading this reminds me of how peaceful meditation is supposed to be, haha. I’ve always struggled with meditation myself. Could never get my mind to quiet… Only a very few times was I lucky enough to experience the benefits. It can be remarkably refreshing for sure, though I’m not sure I’m ready to try it again myself.
Thanks for sharing your experience. Yes, like any other skill it does take spaced repetition to get better at the practice and make it a daily habit. You have a taste of the benefits so I’m sure you’ll be back at it when you are ready.
I started using meditation daily a few months ago it has helped me greatly. I have found Dr Joe Dispenza to be very good, he has a morning and evening guided meditation that I do.
I believe that when you first wake up is the best for meditation because your brain waves are still in a slower pattern which suits meditation.
Thanks for your comments Dave and I’m glad to hear that the practice has helped. I agree that first thing in the morning is prime time. Keep it up daily and it will become an effortless and automatic. I find Joe Dispenza to be one of the best in the field of neuroscience. His talks are incredibly inspiring.