Beat Stress with These Meditation Tips
By Joyce Wilson
Stress can be hard to combat, especially these days as we all face new challenges and lifestyle-altering changes. You may be experiencing anxiety or depression as well, which can have a profound effect on your physical and mental health. Coping with these issues is never easy, but you can also make small changes to your environment and take up meditation, which has been shown to benefit those who are suffering from stress and anxiety.
Here are a few tips on how to get started.
Get to know more about the process
It’s important to read up on meditation and its benefits before you get started so you can set some realistic goals. Mindfulness has been studied over the years and is associated with better sleep, easier relaxation, and stronger focus in individuals who practice regularly. The good news: It’s easy to get started at home; with a calm, quiet space and an open mind, you can train yourself to relax and focus on the present moment rather than worrying about the past or future.
Set up a place to practice
Eventually, you may learn how to close off the rest of the world and meditate no matter where you are, but it’s important to have a quiet space to practice at home. This area serves as a grounding spot where you can feel safe and calm, so it should be free of clutter and noise. If you’ve noticed that the energy in your house feels negative, you can banish those vibes by decluttering and cleaning your home. As you start to practice at home, invest in some comfortable clothing that promotes calm so you can focus on your meditation, whether it’s a new pair of leggings or loose-fitting T-shirt.
Try it with a workout
Yes, you can mix positive mental health practices with a physical workout that will leave you feeling refreshed. When partnered with yoga, meditation can boost your overall wellness because it combines mindfulness with an activity that helps to lower blood pressure and relieve tension in your muscles and joints. If you’ve never tried yoga before, no worries; look for simple poses for beginners, or try it in a pool for a gentle transition. You can also use tools or props that will help you stay safe during the workout, such as a yoga pillow or even a chair to help you balance.
Work it into your schedule
With so much stress due to COVID-19, it’s more important than ever to work self-care into the day. That’s why it’s best to create a schedule that includes meditation time, even if it’s only for ten or fifteen minutes. Whether you want to do it early in the morning to set a calm tone for the day or wait until after work to take a few deep breaths, it’s a good idea to make it a habit. You can even get your family involved and teach the kids how to take a mindfulness break.
Beating stress can be a challenge. Think about how you can alter your lifestyle a bit in order to find success with meditation and bring positivity into your home; this will make stress and anxiety much easier to cope with as you move forward.
Joyce Wilson worked as a teacher for decades. She believes knowledge is the key to a more successful and fruitful life. She enjoys sharing lesson plans, resources, and teaching tips on TeacherSpark.org.
