A great rule to abide by when starting a meditation practice is to stay curious and keep an open mind. It’s easier to dedicate yourself to daily practice when you continue to question the challenges you may face while meditating. Commit yourself to as little as one minute a day. Thats it? One minute? Yes, one minute. Instead of scrolling through instagram, take back that one minute for yourself! This can also look like sitting in your car for one minute before driving off to your next destination, mindfully noticing your senses while taking a shower, or taking one extra minute before getting out of bed just focusing on your breathing.
Once youve got the one minute practice on lockdown, pick a time of day that works best for you to start longer meditations. 5 minute meditations easily become 10-30 minute meditations. It helps to pick an activity that you already do in your daily routine such as drinking a cup of coffee, having lunch, or arriving home from work. Find a quiet spot somewhere you wont be bothered or distracted, and make sure you’re comfortable. Some meditations require that you sit or lay down, however, there are plenty of meditations that can be done while sitting, standing, and walking. Walking meditation is a great blend of focused mindfulness with a physical experience to keep you engaged.
There are plenty of meditation tech resources available via apps and online, such as Headspace, Calm, etc.
● Calm is a great application filled with guided meditations to help you de-stress and practice mindfulness. Among meditation, it also has programs to help improve your sleep, music and nature sounds to help you relax or focus, as well as video lessons on gentle movement and stretching. Another bonus with this application is access to masterclass programs taught by world-renown mindfulness experts.
● Headspace is a wonderful addition to your routine, and is fun for the whole family. I personally enjoy using Headspace along with my daily meditation practices, as their mindfulness tools are organized to help maintain life-changing habits, as well as support mental health and overall wellbeing. Think of Headspace as your minds best friend.
● The Healthy Minds program is a straightforward and useful application based upon four principles; awareness, connection, insight and purpose. Using skill-based learning methods and neuroscience, this application provides the framework for mindfulness and meditative practices.
Influencer Resources: Joe Dispenza, Deepak Chopra, etc.
Dr. Joe Dispenza is a lecturer, researcher, author and educator who is world renowned for his belief and teachings that each and every one of us possess limitless potential. With this idea at the forefront, Dispenza has led numerous retreats teaching people how to heal their bodies using the power of the mind. He uses the fields of neuroscience, epigenetics, and quantum physics to explore the science behind mind-body healing and connection. He has compiled thousands of brain scans, HRV (heart rate variability) testing, immune regulation, cellular metabolism and longevity measurements to confirm the power of the process between the mind and body. In 1986, Dispenza was cycling in a triathlon when he was struck by a truck. He broke six vertebrae in his spine and was told he would never walk again. For weeks he visualized his vertebrae healing, reconstructing his spine in his mind. By ten and a half weeks he was back on his feet, and by twelve weeks he resumed working and training. Through his work, Dispenza has been able to induce, predict and replicate certain states of mind and body. These findings have significant application in expanding our understanding of human consciousness and potential.
Deepak Chopra, MD is a pioneer within the field of integrative medicine and personal transformation. He is a New York Times bestselling author, and TIME magazine has described Dr. Chopra as one of the top 100 heroes and icons of the century. He views the human body upheld and influenced by a quantum mechanical body composed not solely of matter, but of energy and information. His practice of integrative medicine combines conventional Western Medicine with alternative ideals and therapies such as yoga, mindfulness meditations and ayurveda to promote overall health and wellbeing.