Practice Meditation for a Calmer Mind
Does stress have you feeling anxious and tense? It might be time for you to try out meditation. Anyone can practice meditation and the best part is that you can do it practically anywhere. Here are some tips to help you get your zen-on.
Start Simple
Give yourself a manageable time frame; start with two minutes of meditation every day for a week. Once you can complete this successfully, progressively increase your time by two minutes each week.
Jump Right In
Find somewhere comfortable like your bed, or a cushion on the floor and just start. There is no better time than now to begin; don’t get caught up too much in the “how”. There is no wrong way to do meditation!
Try Deep Breathing
Focus your thoughts on your breathing. Breathe in slowly and deeply, counting the seconds of your inhales and exhales. Focusing on counting will help you keep your thoughts from wandering.
You Don’t Have to Sit Still
If you are someone who has a hard time sitting still, consider walking and meditating at the same time. Walk slowly and keep track of your movements, “right foot, left foot”. This will help you center your thoughts.
Stop and Feel
Taking a moment to contemplate the meaning of a poem, spoken words, music, the sounds of nature, etc., can be a form of meditation. You can even use a journal to record your thoughts.
Add Yoga
Try combining exercise and meditation with yoga. You can do this on your own or even join a class. Rutgers Recreation offers several classes across the campuses from which you can choose. The combination of mindfulness and released endorphins from exercise can help you release tension from your body.
Avoid Judgment
Meditation takes time and practice to master. Your mind will likely wander during your meditation, and that’s okay. Gently try to steer yourself back to focus without criticizing yourself. Maybe try a different form of meditation if you find that your thoughts wander often. Meditation is not necessarily about emptying your mind of all thoughts; it is about cultivating a sense of calm and inner-peace.
Meditation can serve to ease anxieties and help you achieve a calmer state of mind. With these simple tips, you can try out meditation and begin your journey today.
