In today’s fast paced society, taking five minutes to calm your mind, focus and regroup can have a huge impact on maintaining physical and emotional wellbeing. Meditation may seem like a simple activity, but it’s been shown to increase positive wellbeing, help improve mood and decrease the impact of stress. Here’s how you can fit it into a busy lifestyle and make the most of the zen.
Relax with an app or get with a group
Meditation is a very personal thing, it’s about finding your own rhythm and process that works for you. If you’re just starting out or prefer a little help, there are plenty of apps out there that can take you through a guided meditation, such as Smiling Mind. Alternatively, look up mediation groups in your area. This is also a great way to increase your social connectedness, which can introduce you to like-minded people and reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Any time is the right time
It can be hard to find time to mediate, but that’s okay. Some days you may only have five minutes to do it, other days you’ll have longer. Some weeks you may only manage a couple of sessions, other times you may do it every day.
The point is, there’s no right or wrong when it comes to meditation. Do it as often or as little as you like, and be flexible with it. You’ll be more likely to stick with it if you go easy and don’t put pressure on yourself. And if you slip up one week, you can start again afresh the next.
Practice makes perfect
Like riding a bike, learning a language or playing a sport, meditation gets easier the more you do it. It may seem challenging at first, but don’t be disheartened. Studies have shown that the more you mediate, the more you can benefit from it[1].
The thing to remember is that your meditation journey is unique to you. There is no right or wrong way of doing it, but by incorporating it into your life, you can reap the benefits of improved mental wellbeing, less stress and a more balanced mind.
References:
- Luders E, Toga AW, Lepore N, Gaser C. The underlying anatomical correlates of long-term meditation: larger hippocampal and frontal volumes of gray matter. Neuroimage. 2009;45(3):672-678. doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2008.12.061
