Tune into a healthy new habit

There are things in life we know could do wonders for our health and yet we manage to find ways to avoid that valuable new ritual.

The ‘it’ in this instance is meditation. Converts to meditation will tell you they couldn’t live without its benefits for both their mental and physical wellbeing.

But as simple as the process of closing our eyes and focusing on our breathing might seem, meditation remains a daunting prospect for some of us.

We find ways to put it off for another day – “I’m too busy to meditate”, “I can’t switch off my brain for long enough” or “I’ve got other priorities right now” are a few that come to mind.

Sound familiar?

If meditation is something you would like in your life, it might be best to start simply. There are apps such as Smiling Mind or YouTube tutorials that can get you started if taking a class seems intimidating to begin with.

We asked the team at Upstate for some advice on how to stretch our minds and get started with meditation.

Here is their expert advice:

Choose a time and a place that feels good to YOU
The first step is to aim for a regular practice time by locking in at least three times a week where you carve out time for your meditation. Once you’ve done that, we want you to choose a spot that feels good. Once you’ve chosen a time and a place, stick to it. You want meditation to become a habit.

Start small
As a beginner, the idea of sitting in silence for a long period of time can sound overwhelming. The best approach is starting out small. Maybe it’s 10 minutes or maybe it’s a five-minute meditation. Choose a duration that will fit into your life. Once you build up your confidence you can start to make your meditations a little longer each time.

How to sit
The great thing about meditation is that you can do it anywhere. Inside, outside, on a chair, on the floor – wherever you feel most comfortable. As a beginner you might find it easier to sit on a chair for your first few sessions.

Know your motivation
Have a clear reason as to why you are wanting to introduce this practice into your life. There are no rules here – it can be anything. Maybe you want to feel happier or less stressed or perhaps your goal is to be more focused. Whichever it is, make sure it’s clear as it will also help your meditation practice to become a habit.