Think That Meditation Isn't For You? 1 Of These 3 Types May Prove You Wrong

(Photo by Matheus Natan)

The view is worth the "climb"

Our lives can easily become overwhelming. It may be that you have little control over your schedule. It may feel like you’re always running behind. Your job may be demanding and may not make you valued or heard. Practicing meditation is a way to press the pause button for a few minutes. To examine your experience, take unbiased inventory, look ahead, and plan your next move.

Thinking about thinking

Look at your options for meditating as an a la carte menu or a buffet. Try as many as you like. Mix and match. Meditation can be helpful in as little as a minute to several hours, there's no exact amount of time you need. Tailor your experience to what you want and need from it. 

A great way to get started is to close your eyes in a quiet comfortable place and try to focus on your breathing. Remind yourself that you are literally practicing meditation.

You may become frustrated by your mind wandering. You may not be great at it at first, but that's normal when starting something new. Remind yourself that you are trying, that's what matters most.

Some options for meditation

These are just a few of the many meditation types, but listed are some that members of our team found helpful.

Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness meditation teaches you to calm both your mind and body. To slow down racing thoughts and let go of negativity in the moment. It's acknowledging and accepting your thoughts, feelings, and sensations without judgment. 

All you need is a comfortable place to sit, and to deep breathe for a few minutes. Focus on your breathing, acknowledge your thoughts, and let them pass. Try not to judge yourself or the thoughts.

Focused meditation

With this method, you try to "clear" your mind by focusing on your senses. Something you can see, hear, taste, smell, or feel; it can be internal or external. This could be focusing on your meal as you eat it, or on your breath while you wait in traffic. 

This type of meditation is good for those constantly on the go, because you can do it while doing everyday tasks. Again, try to make sure you're as comfortable as possible and try not to judge yourself too harshly.

Movement meditation

This is just what it sounds like, meditation while moving your body. That could mean yoga, gardening, walking, running, anything that involves movement. What this is most helpful for is bringing awareness to the body. How your body is feeling and what it needs. 

If you're meditating while you walk, feel the breeze and smell the air. Listen to the sound of your shoes hitting the ground. Really be present in the movement and try to just be there.

Staying present in the moment

With the types listed above or with any other types, meditation teaches you to stay present. To pay attention to your breath and to your body and how it feels. To listen to your thoughts and be more mindful of what they are doing. It will almost be as if you were an outsider observing you. 

When you learn what your "systems" are doing in the background you can begin to take part in their processes. Calm your breathing, try not to clear your mind of all activity. Attempt to let the thoughts play out naturally. All while observing and gaining a deeper understanding of them.

Meditation can give you a 10,000 ft. view of how you are experiencing life. You will gain a better understanding of where your thoughts and feelings are coming from. You'll see the effect that your perception has on your body and mind. You will notice where you can exercise choice. All of this will help you to make the decisions in your life that can make positive change.

Developing habits around mediation

A helpful way to develop a new habit is to pair it with something in your life that is already a constant. Journaling on a lunch break, focusing on breathing while on the way to work, going for a walk before dinner. Make little changes over time, while trying to pair them with something you already do. This will make it easier to remember the new habit when you do the already established one.

Building habits is an up and down path, it's not straight up. Remember to be nice to yourself. You may have times where you excel and then the next time you may not be able to focus. This is normal, just calmly bring yourself back and try again. 

Some days it may not work for you at all, and that's fine too. Your mind may be scattered or anxious, or there may be too much going on. Don't force it, take some time and come back to it later or another day.

You're worth the time

Remind yourself often that you're worth the time. That by practicing meditation and being mindful through the day will build mental strength over time. That meditation will have a ripple effect and will help you tackle challenges that come your way. However you choose to meditate, do it for you.