Getting started with meditation

If you're among us that experience moments of stress, overwhelm, scatter brain, or burnout... You might be human! But also, you'll likely find meditation to helpful.

Meditation is something I stumbled upon really young. By accident. And likely in many ways, you have too. I recall days after school where I'd come home, lay on my bed, and allow my mind to run wild without trying to engage it, but also without trying to stop it. It was like I was choosing to no longer compartmentalize. So, while some people might describe meditation as a focus activity (which it can be), my approach has been to use it as more of a "letting go" activity.

But how does one even get started?

It can feel like a tough thing to grasp at first, especially since you can likely find so many differing philosophies about what meditation even is. So I hope to give you a few easy tips to approach this practice in an accessible and simple way.

Start small. Really small.

Find a comfortable spot, preferably at home where you can be alone (or with someone you're comfortable with) and won't be disturbed. Perhaps play some cozy or relaxing music. It doesn't have to be meditation music, but music that makes you feel calm and won't distract you. Set aside a small amount of time. It can be as small as one to five minutes at first. Meditation can be a discipline that takes time to engage in longer spurts. Allow your thoughts to come and go without necessarily trying to engage them (and not forcing yourself to not have them).

Try using body scan.

A body scan is a pretty simple technique that gives your mind something to focus and helps ground you. It checks in with each part of your body, often starting at your head and moving down. Spend a few seconds/minutes on each part of your body noticing the sensations, tensions, and temperatures. If you've ever tried yoga, this is a practice you might recognize. In mediation, however, we're not trying to change the sensation but instead noticing them and allowing them.

Listen to a guided mediation.

Many people enjoy guided meditations. A guided meditation generally has a voice and/or visuals that'll help you to visualize, focus, and direct your attention to specific needed areas. I personally enjoy guided meditations. I find they often get to me to think about/feel about things I otherwise might not have. If you're looking for a short guided meditation to get started (or short on time), check out my five minute mindfulness meditation on my YouTube channel, which is posted below:

*This post is not intended to diagnose or replace mental health treatment.