Meditation can conjure up many images in our minds. If you have never meditated before, it may seem daunting or out of reach. Here I will try to dispel some of the common myths around meditation and what it means to meditate.
What are the common myths?
Meditation is only for people that practice yoga
Meditation means you have to banish all thoughts from your mind
You have to sit cross legged for hours
You have to sit in silence and be completely still
It wont work for me, my mind wanders all of the time
Meditation is a religious practice
Myth vs Reality
None of the above are true in isolation. Of course, during yoga you can practice meditation and some religions do encourage meditation and yes some people do sit for hours in silence (by choice).
However, meditation can be as simple as creating some time and space just for you.
Meditation - Tips for practicing
Find a quiet place where you wont be interrupted
You can sit cross legged, on a chair with a firm back, you can lie down or even stand up if that feels comfortable
You can use guided meditation and even practice with a friend or partner if being in a room alone makes you feel anxious
You can listen to music
You can spend 3 mins, 5 mins, 10 mins at a time - even the shortest practice can allow your brain to rest and reset your emotions
It's completely fine to allow your thoughts to come and go - no need to force anything
The most important thing to remember is to focus on your breath. You can even count your breaths in and out if that helps. Why not put your phone on airplane mode, set a timer for 5 minutes and try it for yourself today?
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