One of the simplest ways you can make time for yourself during the day is to meditate. Practicing meditation and mindfulness can help to reduce stress and increase self awareness. However, the biggest challenge many face is actually finding time in the day to meditate. That's why we're sharing five tips to help you start to incorporate meditation into your daily life.
First off, what exactly is meditation?
Meditation can be practiced in many different ways. For this list, we’re going to focus specifically on mindfulness meditation. This is meditation that focuses on increasing your awareness and acceptance of the present moment. It is not clearing the mind of all thoughts, but rather letting your thoughts pass without judgment. It can be a great way to declutter your mind and reduce negative emotions.
1. Meditate during your commute.
Whether it be a walk, drive, or bus ride, your commute is a great opportunity to practice mindfulness. By staying off your phone, stopping your music, and taking that time to practice mindfulness, you can increase your focus and mood for the upcoming day.
2. Meditate in the shower.
This one sounds a little weird, but trust us on this. The shower is the perfect time to focus on your thoughts, because honestly, what else are you doing with that time. If you shower in the morning, it can be a great time to think about the upcoming day. Fill your head with positive thoughts, and you can go into your day feeling mentally prepared. If you shower at night, take the time to reflect on what has already happened in the past day. Focus on the highlights and anything you achieved, no matter how big or small.
3. Meditate before bed.
We all know that scrolling before bed isn’t good for our sleep. In order to break that habit and signal to your body that it’s time for bed, try meditation instead. Lay in your bed, be still, and close your eyes. Focus on your breathing and the present moment. You could try listening to some soothing music as well. Taking this break to intentionally practice mindfulness before bed could help you stay off screens and get a better nights sleep.
4. Meditate while doing mindless tasks.
This is one of my personal favorite ways to practice mindfulness. We all have boring tasks we have to do throughout the day- sweeping the floor, cleaning our rooms, doing the dishes, the list seems endless. Instead of dreading these tasks, use them as a way to practice mindfulness. Instead of letting your mind wander during these tasks, focus on what you’re doing. You’d be shocked at how much more refreshed you feel afterwards.
5. If all else fails- schedule it!
If you still are finding it difficult to fit meditation into your day, literally schedule it! Set an alarm or a calendar alert for a quick, ten minute break at a time that’s convenient for you. Use this time to practice mindfulness. Whether it be between classes, after meals, or right when you wake up, there is never a bad time to take a moment to reflect.
Now this list is not at all an exhaustive one, but we hope it does help you bring a little bit of mindful meditation into your lives.
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