How to Start a Meditation Routine

What do you think of when meditation comes to mind? Sitting cross-legged in a garden with your eyes closed while finding your center? A transcendental experience that only the most practiced people can achieve? It’s time to shake the

What do you think of when meditation comes to mind? Sitting cross-legged in a garden with your eyes closed while finding your center? A transcendental experience that only the most practiced people can achieve? It’s time to shake these assumptions–it doesn’t matter how you choose to meditate, how long you’ve been doing it, or whether you use guided meditation or another form. What matters is that you just do it!

In this article, we’ll look at some of the benefits of meditation, as well as some of the ways you can use it to kickstart a new wellness routine. Finding time for yourself to reduce stress and heal your mind and body can help you feel more focused, relaxed, and rested. 

Benefits of Meditation

The benefits of meditation have been identified for centuries all over the world, and in various forms. More recently, the National Institute of Health has taken an interest in the ways it can help, and found that it can reduce inflammation, aid in smoking cessation, reduce blood pressure, and decrease feelings of anxiety, insomnia, and depression. Positive Psychology has studied the benefits of meditation in-depth and found that it can increase empathy, improve cognition, and reduce pain, to name just a few. 

If you’re looking for real world examples from people across many walks of life, OutwitTrade has compiled a collection of stories from over 40 people who shared how meditation has benefited them.

How to Start Meditating

First, remember to give yourself some grace when you start meditating. Any new practice you try will take time and patience to dial in your techniques. We recommend trying different types of meditation techniques, such as guided meditation, mindfulness meditation, movement meditation, or spiritual meditation. There really is something for everybody! You may find that you experiment with several types of meditation techniques before you find the right fit. 

Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Spotify has numerous meditation playlists and podcasts you can try as part of your monthly subscription. 
• Check out the apps that come with your phone plan. We love Headspace and Calm, which offer a great variety of programs depending on what type of experience you’re looking for.
• Find a local meditation class to visit, or sign up for yoga classes.

Maintaining a Daily Meditation Practice

When you’re the most busy and the most stressed, you’re most likely to feel as if you don’t have time to keep up with a daily meditation practice. The truth is, when you feel like this, you need meditation in your daily life more than ever. Invest in yourself! While you may not meditate every day, you may find that making it happen three times a week is more achievable. Try setting your alarm earlier so you can meditate in the morning to start your day. This is such a great way to explore your thoughts and feelings before starting the day so you can get up and go with more intention. 

On the other hand, you might find that meditating right after work or before you go to sleep works best for your flow. Whatever time of day works best for you, identify that and stick to it! Make it a routine, and soon enough, your body and mind will tune in to that daily habit.

When in Doubt, Return to the Breath

Deep breathing is one of the first steps to take when stress and anxiety take over. Breathing through your stomach allows you to take a full breath, expanding your lungs, and taking in more oxygen. This signals your heart to slow, and buffers the stress response. When you learn to meditate, much of your routine centers around the breath, and using this technique throughout the day can reinforce an overall feeling of calm.

Try Focusing Your Attention

Many of us start a meditation practice because we’re overwhelmed, unable to focus, and frazzled. Meditation can help you learn to focus your attention when your mind wanders. If you’re feeling as if you’re no longer as productive at work or home as you used to be, starting a meditation practice can train your mind to stay focused and to get back on track when you realize your mind is wandering throughout the day. 

We hope these meditation tips have been helpful to you! At Danu, we believe in taking a holistic approach to your health by caring for your body and mind. Check out our full line of broad-spectrum CBD products, including CBD oils, CBD salves, CBD topical cream, and more!