Meditation IS Cool — Here’s Why You Need It (Especially If You’re A Psycho)
Life can get stressful and we don’t all have 24/7 access to the luxuries of a spa so instead, make small changes to help keep yourself sane. Just 10 minutes a day dedicated to relaxation techniques such as meditation can be all you need to get yourself back in check and prevent you reaching psycho mode.
Everyone from Gisele to Jennifer Aniston to Arianna Huffington swear by their regular meditation sessions to keep them level-headed and focused on their lives and goals. The benefits can be life changing and as a minimum meditation will give you some time out. It is a chance to let go of the petty stresses of daily life and get in tune with your mind and body. Neuroscientists have found meditation can genuinely change the way your brain handles stress so if you need to chill out, it’s going to make a real difference.
Some of the main benefits of meditation include:
- Reduces stress
- Improves concentration
- Encourages a healthy lifestyle
- Increased self-awareness
- Increased happiness levels
- Slows down the ageing process
- Increased cardiovascular and immune health
If you’ve never tried to meditate but want something to combat the stress that just keeps building, follow this very simple guide:
1. Get Comfortable
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Peace Yoga Meditation Cushion[/caption]
Meditation is about relaxing your body and mind .You need to be comfortable and that doesn’t mean you need to get into your best Buddha pose. Find what is comfortable for you. It’s about being still, contemplative and able to focus entirely on your breathing and your body, and this isn’t going to happen if you’ve got a sore butt and back ache. Don’t become too critical about sitting still, if you’ve got an itch — itch it and then get your focus back to your breathing,
2. Start Small
To begin with, just two or three minutes may be enough. You may want to dedicate longer to your meditation but in the beginning it’s fine to take small steps. Try beginning with just ten focused breaths. Count in for five and count out for five and repeat it ten times. It may only be a very short exercise but it’s a step towards being in tune with your body and giving it a chance to relax.
3. Move onto the 100 Breaths Technique
One of the simplest ways of meditating, without the need to chant or visualise, is to simply sit comfortably and take 100 purposeful, focused breaths. As you count the breaths your body can relax and you are meditating before you even know it. You may find the first 30–40 breaths don’t feel like much but keep going and you’ll feel the change in your body.
4. Use Guidance
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Real Happiness Meditation Book with Guided Meditation Audio[/caption]
If you find your mind still fluttering and struggle to focus on being still, try using a guided meditation app or YouTube video (there’s loads around) This will help you focus on the job at hand.
Once you’ve got the basics nailed you can start looking into mantras, chants, meditation apps and whatever else you want to add in. Don’t be put off if you feel like you ‘can’t do it’, the more you practice the better you’ll get. Focus on these simple steps first you’ll soon be able to meditate anywhere and get that zen feeling whenever you need.
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Cotton Zabuton Meditation Cushion/Mat[/caption]
