Have you ever been overwhelmed by a situation? Have you ever felt better once you’ve had a moment to step back and reflect on the situation? This is part of the benefit of meditation. Meditation won’t turn you into a different person or even a better person. However, it can help you gain perspective and observe your feelings without judgment.
There are a number of reasons meditation has become increasingly popular over the past several years. One is that it helps us be present in our everyday lives. And in a world that is full of stimuli, meditation can help you focus. The benefits aren’t just emotional and mental, either. Meditation can improve sleep and even help us control impulsive reactions.
One of the most common misconceptions about meditation is that it takes a long time to get into. While you’ll probably see more benefits the longer you practice meditation, it doesn’t require hours of your time to get started. In fact, it’s possible to meditate in whatever few minutes you have to spare throughout the day. Here are a few simple ways to work some meditative moments into your daily life.
Find something that delights you.
This one is so quick you can even do it when you’re stuck at a traffic light. When you feel the urge to distract yourself by looking at your phone, try resisting the impulse. Instead, take a deep breath and look around. What’s something that’s interesting or pleasing to look at? Take a moment to just breathe and appreciate your surroundings.
Take a moment to appreciate what you eat.
Do you get distracted when you eat? Do you scarf down food quickly? What about eating while you’re trying to complete another task? Eating is another opportunity for a meditative moment. Take a moment to really savor and appreciate your food. Appreciate the taste, smell, texture…whatever you enjoy about what you’re eating.
Focus on breathing.
“Just breathe” is one of the easiest meditation techniques because you can do it anytime, anywhere. Take a deep breath, then focus on how your body moves with your breath. It only takes a few deep breaths for your body to begin relaxing, so this is another moment you can take anywhere.
Feeling more relaxed already? Look for more opportunities to take meditative moments throughout your day. Your mind and your body will thank you!
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