Studies have found it can also helpalleviate pain, control blood pressure and improve digestion.
And who doesn’t need help with all of the above?
), meditation can take effort.
Sitting still, as is often involved, isn’t necessarily as easy as it sounds.
And then there’s the need to sort out what exactly, you’re even trying to do.
Or they think it’s about having only beautiful thoughts or peaceful states, which it’s also not.
Meditation is about developing a different relationship with our thoughts."
Say, for instance, you’ve been taking in a steady stream of news.
It’s not that difficult things don’t arise; they do.
But we don’t have to add to them.
Before you begin, keep the following pointers in mind.
You don’t have to meditate for hours.
Benefits appear pretty fast.
That said, you will need to build up your own stamina.
Aim for five minutes a day for two weeks and gradually work up to longer.
Set the timer on your phone or follow a short meditation on an app.
When and where are up to you.
“Morning could be good because it sets the stage for the rest of your day, Salzberg says.
Some people meditate at night because ithelps them sleep better.
Think about what’s realistic for you.
Choose something specific to focus on.
There’s no right or wrong way to meditate.
You don’t have to perch pretzel-like on a cushion if that isn’t comfortable.
Remember, the goal is to feel relaxed, comfortable andfocused.
Your mind will wander.
The truth is, it just doesn’t happen like that immediately.
The idea of meditation is to sit and be comfortable with our mind as it is.
Sometimes the mind is busy.
Sometimes it’s quiet.
But over time, as we get better at this, the mind naturally starts to settle down.
Mini meditations count, too.
Before you hit send on an email, take three deep breaths.
What does that mean, exactly?
No watching TV or checking your email at the same time, for starters.
