One thing that I really love doing and that I haven’t really had a chance to do is meditation. While I am aware that in this technological day and age, it’s more “fun” and more trendy to be online or on our phones and to be continuously doing something, I think that we should all take the time to stay in relative silence and just think.

Mediation

Now I know what you are thinking, “Meditation? Isn’t that when you stay quiet and sit in once spot for a long time?” My answer to that is, yes and no. Yes, it is a time that you set aside to stay in relative quietness to ponder and visualize, but you can also listen to music. No, you don’t have to sit in one spot for a very long period of time, you can lay down for a short one. There was a time when that’s what I thought meditation was too. Whenever I thought about meditation, I immediately thought stillness. So, every single time that I tried remaining still on purpose, I immediately felt like moving. This caused me to quit trying to do meditate, but this small ‘taste’ of it piqued my curiosity. How could so many people find it so enjoyable to sit still for so long?

It wasn’t until I decided to satisfy my curiosity with some research that I got my answer, they don’t. Unlike what I thought before, meditation isn’t synonymous with stillness, but with energy! The point of meditation is to calm you down, get in tune with your inner thoughts and feelings which helps to re-invigorate and energize you for the rest of the day!

Now I know that I am not a meditation guru and I have yet to learn all of the ins and outs of meditating, I do understand the main concepts of it. Also, even as a beginner I have managed in the past to feel the positive effects that meditation can have on your life. Meditating, can  decrease in stress and anxiety and an increase focus, creativity and your memory!

I do know that mediating is different for everyone, so different techniques work for different people, but here are a few tips to help you get started.

Get in the Zone

Just like before a big game, it’s important to have the right mindset when you start meditating. I use meditation as a time to reflect on the events that occurred during the day, to refresh and to start a new. However, before I begin I like to get in the zone by either playing some classical music or simply wearing my comfiest pair of pyjamas. Try and put yourself in a place where you can feel comfortable. It’s hard to focus on visualizing, if you’re too focused on how uncomfortable your jeans are.

Pick a comfortable spot and position

I think that meditating can be done anywhere, in the shower, while taking a bath, while lying in bed, etc. Find a place whether it’s indoors or outdoors, where you feel at ease and where you find it easy to relax. Also, don’t be afraid to add some accessories too! Light up some scented candles or sit on your favourite pillow or  lie on your lucky blanket.

Visualize

I know that I have talked countless times about visualization, but it is something that I think is important to do. Visualizing is a great thing to do while meditating. You can visualize yourself in a nice exotic landscape to help you calm down. Or, you can visualize you achieving all of your life's goals and having a blast! Whatever scene that you decide to imagine, it’s all up to you! Just make sure that it is a positive one, dwelling on the past and on negativity isn’t the best way to feel better.

Everyday life

I think that it’s important to keep in mind that meditating and the feeling that you have while doing it, doesn’t have to end there! By making healthy life style choices like eating right, sleeping and exercising. As well as by learning to understand your emotions and feelings (basically getting in touch with your inner self) and thinking positively, you are able to retain the same level of calm as during your own meditation session.

Extras

There are plenty of tools available to help you get started with mediation and reap all of its great benefits. There are apps such as Headspace which I’ve just recently found and hear is a great meditation helper. Also, there are other bloggers like Heather Waxman who makes tons of guided meditation sessions, to help you visualize and re-energize.

Have you ever tried meditation?