Meditation is a great way to relieve stress and focus on self-care. It’s not always easy to meditate, but it doesn’t need to be difficult. There are many different ways to make meditation easier and more fun. Here are the best practices for meditating so you can reap all of the benefits without any of the struggle.

Find a space to meditate

The first step to make meditation easier is to find a space to meditate. This can be your bedroom, the living room, or even the office if you have a conference room with no one else in it. Meditating in these spaces will help you feel more comfortable and less distracted by having to worry about what others might think.

Get into the correct position

For many people, getting into the position to meditate is the hardest part. Some people like to sit cross-legged on a mat and others like to lie down. It’s also important that you find a position that will allow you to be comfortable while you relax. Lying down is a good option for those who find sitting uncomfortable and vice versa. Whichever position you choose, it’s best to keep your spine flat and your shoulders relaxed. Once you find the perfect position, try practicing it in front of a mirror so you can see what looks right to you.

Keep your eyes open or closed

It might be difficult for some people to meditate with their eyes closed. If you’re not used to it, your mind may wander off more often. The best way to deal with this is to keep your eyes open or closed.

If you find that you can’t control your wandering thoughts while your eyes are open, then try closing them. It might help if you imagine the current place around you as a safe and sacred space. This helps some people stay focused and relaxed during meditation.

If, on the other hand, you find that your mind wanders too much when your eyes are closed, then try opening them and looking around the room carefully. This gives the same effect as closing them without struggling with intense concentration.

Use breath as a focus point

One of the most common mistakes people make when they try to meditate is that they can’t stay focused on their breathing. The trick to staying focused on something is to keep changing your focus until you find something that works for you. I suggest people start with an object in their room. Focus on the object, then shift your focus to breathing, then shift it back. You can also use a mantra or prayer as a focus point, which is what some religions require their followers to do during meditation. One of my favorite mantras is “I am love” because it reminds me of how much I have in life and how lucky I am.

Keep it short and simple

The most important rule of meditation is that it should be done often. Even if you can only do it for five minutes, the benefits are still there.

Start by picking a time frame that works for you. You could do 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, or even 30 minutes to start. Whatever time frame you settle on, make sure it’s realistic and sustainable for your day-to-day activities.

If you’re sitting up to meditate, slowly lower yourself into the pose and let gravity do the work to keep your back straight. It’s better to sit cross-legged than in a seiza position (both knees touching the ground).

Conclusion

Meditation is a great way to clear your mind and find moments of peace in your busy day. But what if it’s not your thing? Or you have trouble meditating because you can’t find the time?

That’s where these six simple tips come in! You don’t have to give up on meditation just because it doesn’t sound appealing. There are creative ways to make it work for you, and you don’t have to go outside of your comfort zone.

Try these five tips to find what works for you, and start reaping the benefits of meditation today!