Experts have been celebrating the health benefits of meditation for years. However, many people skip meditating because they feel that they can’t fit it into their daily routine.  The Seattle Times recently wrote an article with some great suggestions for not only how to meditate, but also how stay relaxed while doing so.

1. Don’t forget to breathe

   Be sure to breathe naturally during your meditation session. Be aware of the gentle sensations of your breath flowing in and out of your body.

2. Maintain a good posture

   Experts recommend keeping a posture where your back is straight. Many people imagine a string attached to the top of their head pulling them lightly upwards. The overall best positions for meditating are to sit cross-legged on the floor or on a chair. If you are meditating in your bedroom, be sure that you stay in a sitting position and don’t just lie on your bed and fall asleep!

3. Maintain an eye position

   It is ok to close your eyes, or keep them open. However, the important thing it is to choose one of these positions and maintain it throughout your meditation session. There is also a Zen technique where you stabilize your tongue by resting it on the roof of your mouth. The point is to choose a position for your eyes and your tongue and stick to it. Don’t waste your meditation time worrying about whether or not you are doing it right.

4. Choose a special meditation time

   You are more likely to stick to your meditation routine if you choose a certain time each day.  Be sure to set a timer so you aren’t left wondering how much time is left to your session. Also turn off surrounding electronics if possible.

Meditating can do everything from lowering your blood pressure to improving your mood. It can also improve your immune system and make you less susceptible to catching colds or flu’s. One of the reasons that meditation is so good for you is that it reduces stress. Charles L. Raison, MD, clinical director of the Mind-Body Program at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta stated, “It’s hard to think of an illness in which stress and mood don’t figure.”

So don’t stress out if your mind wanders during your meditation. Just gently bring it back to your practice. While it is best to meditate from 15-30 minutes, any meditation that you can bring into your daily schedule is recommended.

Sources
seattletimes.nwsource.com
webmd.com