Meditation Part 2
I have meditated daily for about five years and have written about my meditation practice in the past. I recently hit 10,000 minutes of meditation using the guided meditation app Headspace, and this milestone made me reflect on how powerful meditation is and how much it has benefitted my life. This practice has helped me be more present and in the moment.
I’ve spoken with many people who doubt their ability to meditate due to being “busy bodies” or having ADHD. My brain too is always going. I used to thrive in taking on a lot; I saw busyness, stress and chaos as badges of honor… until I had my first panic attack and knew something needed to change.
My best analogy for the benefit of meditation is as follows: How many times has your computer or phone stopped working and the solution was to restart the device? Our brains could all use a hard reset from time to time.
That’s what meditation does, whether it’s a 3-minute or 30-minute session. Meditation clears your mind and removes anxiety and other negative energy, which can be a life saver. It helps you get through things that you may not have been able to get through otherwise.
Here are a few tactics to start your own meditation habits:
First, start with guided meditation. There are apps you can use that have a variety of guided meditations to choose from. As I mentioned, I’ve used Headspace for years, and I enjoy the stats and the ability to track my progress. It’s also helpful to have someone walk you through different breathing techniques.
Next, I would recommend experimenting with time durations. Get good at clearing your mind for three minutes, then five minutes, then ten minutes, and so on.
Lastly, try out different breathing methods to see what works best for you. Don’t feel bad if you fall asleep while meditating if that is what your body and mind need. Don’t force specific expectations or outcomes. Just clear your mind and breathe.
Hopefully this article may be the push that someone needs to start meditating. There are lots of resources on meditation (books, podcasts, etc.) that can help you improve your practice. I’d love to hear about your experience or share more about my techniques. Feel free to email me at tanner@menlocre.com.