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7 Ways to Make Meditation Part of Your Daily Life

Physically, mentally, and emotionally, meditation is a hugely beneficial practice. Practitioners and health professionals alike agree that even a short amount of time spent in daily meditation can help decrease anxiety, foster self-awareness, and bring an amazing amount of positivity, productivity, and energy into a person’s life.

But for many of us, committing to a regular meditation practice is not an easy task. In today’s busy world, it can be difficult for people to carve out dedicated space and time for meditation. Some may be intimidated or even feel put off by the stereotypical images of meditation (such as sitting perfectly still on the floor for hours in the Lotus position).

Fortunately, you can still enjoy the benefits of meditation without practicing it in a formal manner. There are plenty of ways to incorporate meditation and mindfulness into your everyday activities that don’t have to involve a major change to your regular routine.

If you’re finding it difficult to maintain a disciplined meditation practice, or if you’re a beginner looking for a more relaxed way of trying out meditation, here are seven ways you can weave meditation into your day:

1. Breathe.

One of the most basic elements of meditation is focusing on the breath, and that’s something you can do no matter where you are or what else you’re doing. Whether you’re sitting at your desk, stuck in a traffic jam, or at the grocery store, taking deep, mindful breaths—in other words, really paying attention to this unconscious function of the body—will immediately help you to be more grounded and present. In addition, the more you can remind yourself to breathe mindfully, the more natural an awareness of breath will become for you.

2. Read.

When you feel too distracted for formal meditation or other mindfulness practices, you can try reading about meditation to keep yourself in a meditative mindset. Many excellent books on meditation contain short chapters, passages, or inspirational quotes that are an ideal springboard for a few minutes of quiet reflection. Try this on your next bus ride to work or during your lunch break.

3. Walk.

If your mind is going a mile a minute and won’t slow down, a great way to center yourself in the present moment is to go for a walk. To make a walk around the block into a meditation, start by focusing on your breath, and then shift your awareness to how your feet feel on the ground and how your body feels moving through space. Finally, expand your focus out to your surroundings, paying attention to the noises, smells, sights, and sensations that are all around you.

4. Embrace water.

Water is widely recognized for its calming and inspirational effects: there’s a reason why many people tend to have some of their most creative ideas while in the shower. Happily, water factors into a number of our daily activities, and you can take advantage of this to create moments of mindfulness for yourself.

In your morning shower, stay present by paying attention to how your body feels under the hot water. At night, try taking a bath with some essential oils; this can help relax both your body and your mind. Even a simple daily task like washing your hands can become a meditative practice if you keep breathing and concentrate on the sensation of water on your skin.

5. Slow down.

Sometimes, adjusting the speed at which you do things can be an important kind of meditation. Slowing down a routine activity that you usually do quickly encourages you to be more observant and keeps you in the present moment. If you walk to work, for example, try taking a different way that takes just a few minutes longer than your regular route. Add time to your morning and avoid rushing by waking up 15 minutes earlier, or try leaving work 15 minutes sooner than usual. Building these pockets of “slow time” into your day, at different times of day, can help keep you in a reflective state of mind.

6. Be intentional.

Meditation is not necessarily about doing something different, it’s about bringing greater awareness to what you are already doing. Because of this, you can transform virtually any activity a meditative one by being intentional about it. Notice things like temperature and textures while you’re doing the dishes, for example. Focus on the rhythm of the knife as you chop vegetables for dinner. Chores can be a wonderful opportunity for observation and reflection rather than a hassle if you can simply cultivate the right attitude towards them.

7. Stop, drop, and meditate.

If at any time you feel the urge to close your eyes and sit still, whether for one minute or 10, go for it! Meditation doesn’t have to be reserved for designated times, and sometimes an impromptu approach—that is, meditating when you truly feel the impulse—can take you deeper than trying to force yourself to focus when your mind wants to be elsewhere. So don’t be afraid to stop what you’re doing for a few minutes of focused meditation, even in the middle of work or other activities.

#meditation #clear mind #relaxation #clear thought #mindfulness #peace #serenity #routine #life #daily life #day to day

Short Poetries 111 - The Sound of Silence

Short Poetries 111 – The Sound of Silence

I seldom hear a lizard’s knock, Or a tingling tickle of the arms of a clock. I rarely notice crickets in the night, The chirping sounds of birds on a flight. I haven’t seen mushrooms in a while, The neon lights they bring in the dark. Frogs croaking, I really miss Signaling a rain is not far away. I long for nothing but a sound of silence, So deafening it may be, yet soothes my gloomy soul. It…

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