Before I tried meditation, I assumed it was reserved for granola moms and hippies who lived in communes. I couldn’t see the benefit of just sitting still and letting out the occasional “om” like in the movies. After I tried it, I realized how beneficial meditation could be for my anxiety.
When I first tried meditation, it was far from comfortable. I sat there expecting to achieve divine enlightenment but instead grew frustrated that I couldn’t clear my mind. That’s where I first went wrong; it leads me to my most important rule: Meditation shouldn’t feel forced.
Though I’m no zen master, here’s what I believe every beginner should know about meditation.
####Start slow
Think of meditation like working out. When you begin to exercise, you start out slow. You might start with the lightest set of weights or even take a class or two. The same goes for meditation. Don’t force yourself to sit in uncomfortable silence for 20 minutes — try out 2-5 minutes when you first start meditating. Guided meditation is another great way to figure out what you like without having to memorize a bunch of confusing steps.
####Remove yourself
I mean this both literally and figuratively. If you want the most out of your meditation experience, you need to remove yourself from distractions in person and in your head. This means putting your phone on silent and trying to forget about everything else that’s going on in your life.
####Focus on breathing
In my opinion, the easiest and most effective way to reach a relaxed state is to focus on your breathing. I like to count my breaths. When I inhale, I count one, and when I exhale, I count two. I repeat this pattern until I feel like both my mind and body are at ease. This way, distracting thoughts simply disappear into the back of my mind rather than distracting me from my session.
####Just do it
When I started meditating, I found myself overwhelmed by all the rules I thought I had to follow. I wasted so much time setting up a zen meditation space, complete with candles and essential oils, before realizing none of that really matters. Meditation is ultimately about finding peace within yourself. It’s about what you do, not how you do it.
_Edited by Claire Colby | ccolby@themaneater.com_
