Meditation is a ritual that gives you focus, perspective, peace and happiness. This kind of healthy habit is not as easy as it seems. Some people struggle through the process at the beginning. Even those who have been doing it for years may end up losing their will or focus.
It’s normal to encounter a few hurdles while learning a new discipline. Meditation, in particular, requires daily practice to be able to reap its ultimate benefits. Although you can always get back on track if you stop for a while, it will take more effort to get back in the game. If you have given up on meditation or have met with resistance, this article is exactly what you need. To be able get back on your feet, here are some tips and practical hacks that you can use to make meditation a lot easier.
· Remember how important it is
Meditation is like your “refresh” button. Everyone gets tired and when that happens, we need something that will restore us back to our full shape. Meditation is a great tool to use when you become drained and need to recharge. Instead of working non-stop, which only builds up a lot of anxiety, pause for a while and reset. Include meditation in your daily routine to nourish your body, mind, and spirit.
· Be mindful in choosing your meditation space
Picking the best place to practice is important. It is just as important as the routine itself. You want to set aside a space where you will have no distractions. Choose somewhere that will make it easier for you to focus on meditating. Avoid becoming discouraged and frustrated by choosing a place that is free of distractions. Set up your special meditation space to make it easier to concentrate. Make sure that you have privacy with no outside noises to distract you. Create an environment that supports meditation. Whether you choose an indoor or outdoor space, make sure it has the right atmosphere to support you. When you decide to get back to meditation set yourself up for success. Finding or creating a distraction-free area should be your top priority.
· Practice a technique
The Main thing you need to develop in meditation is focus, and most of the time it’s going to be hard. It doesn’t have to be hard. the beautiful part about a Zen mindset is that it is a mellow, flowy process. Don’t be so hard on yourself when you can’t focus. A simple solution to help you is to work on a simple mantra like “Let Go.” When you inhale, utter in the word “Let” and as you exhale, release the word “Go.” When you notice your mind wandering repeat the mantra again to regain your focus. Work on staying in the moment. This is your special time so enjoy it.
· Make an agreement with yourself
Write a contract or a note to yourself. Make a commitment stating that you will practice meditation every single day. Once you have made your letter, sign it. This psychological trick makes you desire to honor the agreement that you just made. When your brain starts to believe this, your actions will follow and change will be more evident. When you want to skip meditating and want to watch a movie instead, your resolve will kick in. Your mind will remember the contract you sealed.
· Create your schedule
Aside from your written contract, you can make it stronger by creating a calendar to go with it. Your calendar should include some meditation goals that you want to achieve. Don’t feel pressured about writing all your desired goals for a month. Sometimes, you will realize what you want to achieve next as you are progressing. Your calendar will just serve as a guide to reaching your meditation goals. It can also keep you on track on how far you have come. You can look back to see what you have already completed. This will inspire and encourage you even more to keep on going.
· Include a little bit of pressure
Social pressure can be a good thing when it supports a positive outcome. We often hear how social pressure affect people in negative ways. But a little bit of peer pressure can help you stay motivated in completing your mission. You can tell friends and family or even post about your meditation journey on social media. The pressure to appear consistent and accomplished to others is a big motivator. It will add just enough tension for you to carry through the whole process. When you publicize what you intend to do, you will put in more effort to actually do what you say you will do.
· Find a group
You don’t always have to do it alone. Sometimes, the only way to succeed is to allow the help of others. You can search and join a meditation group. How does this help? Surround yourself with people with the same goal. This makes it easier for everyone in the group to reach the goal. You are all working together to transform yourselves into long-term meditators. Another perk of being a member of a group is the amount of friendly connections you will make. Building a support system can help you along the way in case you lose your focus again.
If you feel like you’ve given up on meditation remember that you can always come back to it when you are ready. Meditation is not for everybody. It is for the stronghearted. It is for you if you want to reap the long term benefits. It is for you if you want to advance in focus, centeredness and positive mindset.
Just keep in mind that you don’t have to rush your way to getting back. Just like the process itself, you need to have a clear start to establish a firm balance. When you embrace this road once again, you will have peace, a stronger focal point, and euphoria.
If you would like to learn more about meditation, you will love our article about Celebrities Who Benefit from Meditation.
