Alright, thrill seekers. Halloween is almost here. Wanna give some coworkers a real fright? Spook them with the scariest ’M’ word they ever heard: meditation.
Does it seem like when the word meditation comes up people stare, blink, and then quickly change the subject? That’s because a lot of people don’t know what mindful meditation really is. Are you one of them? No need to worry, Freddy, won’t be calling you.
To begin our little introductory course, let’s first chat about what mindful meditation is not. Raise your hand if you think it is letting your mind wander or emptying your mind. If your hand went in the air, you’re wrong! Mindfulness meditation is actually working to be present in your thoughts, emotions, and surroundings.
When attempting to be mindful, you can take back control of your busy brain. Implementing simple mindful meditation techniques will allow you to possess an awareness of your thoughts and refocus them as necessary.
Here are six, not so scary, tips to help you and your pals mindfully meditate.
1. Clear Your Schedule
One gigantic problem for many of us is time. It seems like there is never enough time in the day to accomplish everything on our to-do lists. Everyone needs a little ‘me’ time, right? If it seems overwhelming to take an hour or even 15 minutes to mindfully meditate, start small. Baby steps, friends. Start by focusing for 3-5 minutes. You can always go up from there.
2. Turn Off Your Electronics
Nothing ruins a good relaxing mindset like a ringing or dinging phone. Fight the urge to stay connected. Turn off your electronics for a short while. Let your body rejuvenate without the familiar notifications from Facebook or Twitter.
3. Find a Sacred Space
Location, location, location. Find a sacred space where you are comfortable, the lighting is right, the sounds are soothing, and you are free from annoyances like clutter and dust bunnies.
4. Nourish Your Bod
Before you set out to mindfully meditate. Make sure you remember to eat and drink something. It may only take a few seconds until you suddenly remember that you haven’t eaten recently or you are parched beyond belief. Next thing you know, 15 minutes have passed, you’re in the kitchen whipping up a snack, and the time you allotted for this exercise is about to lapse.
5. Find a Comfortable Position
Whether you are sitting in a cozy chair wrapped in a blanket or sprawled out on the floor, find a position that works for you so you limit the urge to find a more comfortable place.
6. Take Deep Breaths
When starting out, remember to breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth in deep, slow breaths. Let your chest naturally rise and fall as you mindfully meditate.
Not so scary is it? The next time someone shrieks in horror at the word meditation, remember it isn’t something out of Stranger Things. Mindful meditation invites you to be more aware of your environment rather than switching to autopilot. You can take control of your thoughts and watch the world around you with a keen and observing eye.
Looking for more ways to mindfully meditate? We can help! Contact us today for suggestions to suit your personal needs.