Meditation can take many forms and can be combined with many spiritual practices.
With regular practice over weeks or months, you’re able to experience even greater benefits.
What is Meditation?
Alison Czinkota / Verywell
It can result in changes in consciousness and has been shown to have a number of health benefits.
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It is far better to create the habit and work it into a more thorough version of that habit.
Its helpful to have silence and privacy, but more experienced meditators can practice meditation anywhere.
Many practitioners of meditation attach a spiritual component to it, but it can also be a secular exercise.
Really, there is no wrong way to meditate.
Meditation and Stress
One of the main benefits of meditation is its ability to reduce stress.
The body’sstress responsecauses the body to automatically react in ways that prepare you tofight or run.
In some cases of extreme danger, this physical response is helpful.
However, a prolonged state of such agitation can causephysical damageto every part of the body.
Meditation affects the body in exactly the opposite way that stress doesby triggering the body’s relaxation response.
A greater gain that meditation can bring is the long-term resilience that can come with regular practice.
Meditation offers several solutions in one simple activity.
They also find it easier to stop rumination from ruining their day.
It helps many people connect to a place of inner strength.
Numerous studies have found that, in diverse populations, meditation can minimize stress and build resilience.
Meditation research is still relatively new, but promising.
An experienced teacher can be helpful but isn’t absolutely necessary.
Considerations
Keep these four things in mind when you begin your mediation practice.
Consistency Is Key
Consistent practice matters more than long practice.
Practice Doesn’t Mean Perfect
Regular practice matters more than “perfect” practice.
There really is no “wrong” way to meditate anyway; any meditation is better than none.
Meditation can be challenging for some people, particularly perfectionists.
The thing to remember is that if you notice this happening, that’s agoodthingyounoticed.
It’s virtually impossible to prevent your mind from wandering anyway.
Getting Started
There are many forms of meditation that bring these fantastic benefits.
To do this, relax your body, sit comfortably, and notice your breath.
If you find yourself thinking of other things, simply redirect your attention back to your breath.
Another simple strategy is to count your breaths.
Remember, your best meditation techniques are the ones that resonate withyou.
Use Guided Meditation
Guided meditationis a practice that involves being directed through the process by another person.
Yoga studios may also offer guided meditations as group classes.
Yes, meditation can be very helpful for getting a good nights sleep.
Yes, you could meditate lying down.
There is no hard and fast rule for how long you should meditate.
If you are just starting out, you may want to start with 5-10 minutes per day.
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