How To Meditate in 10 Easy Steps

If you have recently been struggling with stress and anxiety you may be wondering how to meditate to become calmer and more in control. However, many people find the idea of meditation intimidating and wonder whether it is a complicated and involved process that only spiritual experts engage in.

Well, the principles of meditation are actually very simple and are accessible to anyone no matter what your thoughts are on spirituality and religion. To get started with meditation you don't need any special equipment, experts to guide you, or deep philosophical thinking. You just need an open mind and willingness to learn.

Read our 10 Easy Steps on How To Meditate Beginners can get started with immediately.

What is Meditation?

Meditation is the structured practice of slowing down your mind and paying attention to your thoughts and emotions, putting all other concerns in the background.

Through breath meditation and a concentration on the mindful recognition of your current thoughts and feelings, you can gain a new sense of peace, calm, and control in your daily life. After a meditation session, you will find tension has eased, your breathing is slower and problems and worries are put in proper perspective.

Your main aim when you meditate is to increase your mindfulness, allowing yourself to ground yourself in your body and relegate all your external pressures and stressors during the session. After a successful mediation practice, you will feel more anchored in your world and more capable of dealing with whatever life throws at you.

What Are the Benefits of Meditation?

Meditation has been practiced by generations because it is an incredibly successful way to battle stress, calm your nerves and improve your overall outlook on life. Some of the most common benefits of meditation include:

• Better Mental Health and Lower Anxiety Levels

• It is an Excellent Stress Management Method.

• An Increase in your Self Awareness.

• A reduction in Worry, Negative Thoughts, and Catastrophic Thoughts.

• Increased Confidence.

• Better Relationship with your Body and Improved Self Image.

• Increased Ability to Live in the Moment.

• More Patience with Others and Improved Social Interactions.

The more you practice meditation, the more you will begin to see the benefits in every aspect of your family, social and work life.

How do You Get Better at Meditating?

Although meditation can be extremely beneficial to your life, it takes practice to derive all the positive changes and improvements to your life. You can't expect everything to change after just one session. here are our tips for getting better at meditating.

1. Practice makes Perfect - The more you meditate the easier you'll find it to settle and slip into a meditative state.

2. Pick a Regular Meditation Spot - Go to the same quiet, relaxing, and calming area of the house every time you meditate. This will help you to relax and calm down easier, as you become used to meditating surrounded by the same objects.

3. Do not put too much pressure on yourself - You may feel frustrated if you feel your mind wandering, anxiety creep in and your thoughts refusing to settle. Getting angry at this points will only pull you further from where you want to be. Just acknowledge your trouble without judgment, take a deep breath and start again.

4. Light a Candle - Choose a candle with a relaxing scent and light it whenever you meditate. Your body and mind will begin to associate the smell with your meditation and begin to calm down as soon as you light the candle.

5. Try a Guided Meditation or Meditation App - You can learn by following a guided session to begin with. This way you can trust in the process without having to worry if you are doing it wrong!

How To Meditate in 10 Easy Steps

Now that we know what meditation is and the many benefits of implementing it in your life.

1. Put on some comfortable clothes.

Change into some conformable and loose-fitting clothing before you begin. If you are wearing tight and uncomfortable clothes that niggle and itch as you sit, you will be subjecting yourself to a constant distraction when you start your sessions.

2. Find a Calm and Quiet Spot.

To meditate successfully, you need to find a cool, calm area of your home or garden where you won't be disturbed. The area should be relatively clear and free of distractions and there should be no noisy distractions that will keep you from concentrating on your breathing.

Picking a regular meditation spot will help you to begin the calming down process as soon as you sit in the area, as your brain recognizes that it's time to meditate whenever you move into that area.

3. Sit Down and Relax.

Your first step is to get comfortable. Sitting up on the floor, on a comfortable chair, or even lying down. The important thing is that your position should allow your body to feel supported with no extra tension added in trying to keep yourself still and supported

4. Set A time Limit for your Meditation Session.

Set a gentle alarm sound on your phone, to let you know when it's time to end the session. If you continually have to keep an eye on the clock it will affect your chance of getting into a calm, meditative state. So set the alarm and then forget about checking the time all together.

Meditation beginners should aim for shorter sessions at first, and then build up as their skills improve. Five or ten minutes is enough to start with.

5. Observe Your Body.

Once you have settled down in a calm place, assumed a comfortable position, and set your timer alarm, it is time to get started. Initially, you should just take the time to observe your body, concentrate on each section of your body one at a time and neutrally observe how it is feeling.

If you notice tension or strain, visualize this leaving your body and your muscles easing, and then move on to the nest part of your body. Go from your toes to the top of your head and calmly work your way up your body.

6. Witness That You're Breathing.

Once you have observed your body and visualized each part easing tension and relaxing you should turn to your breathing.

Without attempting to control your breathing, you should observe your breath as you breathe in and out. Focus in on their process and push everything else away from your mind. Concentrating on this most elemental function of your body will help to calm your mind and put you into a meditative state.

7. Recognize When Your Mind Wanders and Worries Intrude.

It is unavoidable that thoughts and worries begin to creep in, especially when you are a beginner. This doesn't mean that you are unable to meditate or that you should give up. Just acknowledge the thought as it swims across your mind and then turn your attention back to your breathing.

8. Make No Judgments.

The key to a successful session is the process of observing yourself and your thoughts without making any negative judgments. You need to be accepting of your mind and body and don't feel frustrated if you struggle at any point. Acceptance of your current state, thoughts, and feelings without trying to adjust them will help to calm your mind and contribute to your meditation.

9. End Your Meditation with Thankfulness.

When your alarm sounds, open your eyes and take a few times to reflect upon the session and how much more relaxed and mindful you feel. Do you feel lighter, happier, and more in control? Calmly allow your consciousness to re-enter the world around you with a renewed appreciation and sense of purpose.

10. Practice Meditation Regularly for The Best Results

Meditation will become easier the more you do it. As you become accustomed to going to the same spot every day to settle down and relax, you will find that entering a mediative state comes quicker and easier. Just as with any skill, the more you meditate the better you will become.

How Often Should You Meditate?

Ideally, you should aim to mediate at least once a day. This doesn't mean that you have to spend hours each day, ten, fifteen, or twenty minutes is enough to gain the benefits which will improve your day. Some people find it best to meditate in the morning before they begin the rest of their day, others prefer to meditate before they go to sleep. Some people do both.

No matter what time you find works best for you, follow our 10 easy tips on how to meditate beginners can get started with right away!