Meditation and Health

Most of us are focusing on physical health. What about mental health which is equally or more important than physical health? What can you do to improve your mental health?

There are many therapies being used to improve mental health. Brain scientists are recommending meditation as the best therapy to improve mental health, focus and happiness.

How to learn meditation?

There are many good free sources to learn meditation such as mindfulness meditation for beginners.

But wait for a moment. It is important to make sure that you are not going to give-up soon. Let’s see why people are not meditating or giving up quickly. There are a few reasons.

1. Limited knowledge and information. Reading and understanding as much as possible will help to start from the right place and mindset.
2. Myths and incorrect information about meditation is leading people to think it is too hard.
3. Many websites, books and apps are teaching only one type of meditation, which need dedicated time and a quiet place. There are other types.
4. Lack of experienced teachers who are practicing meditation and know how to use meditation in daily life. Having a certificate or a degree will not make someone a good teacher.

How to start meditation

1. Read as much as possible, especially types of meditations and decide which is the best for you.
2. You must have an experienced meditation instructor to guide you.
3. Don’t try too hard.Meditation must be painless.
4. Start with few minutes a day.

A simple meditation exercise for beginners

Here is an easy but powerful meditation exercise for beginners. You can do this in any place as long as you are not driving or operating machinery. You don’t need a quiet place or to close your eyes.

Pay attention to your breathing. Is your chest or stomach going up when you breath? This can vary from person to person. Keep focusing on this place (chest or stomach). Start counting backwards each time when you inhale. Count 10…9…8 down to 0 and then stop.

As you can see, this exercise will take only about 15 seconds (10 breaths). Your objective is to pay attention to what happens to your chest or stomach when breathing. don’t try to breath hard. Breath normally.

Repeat this exercise whenever you have time. Just about 15 seconds at a time. This simple meditation will start building the foundation inside your mind to stay focused.A great way to start practicing meditation and not to give-up quickly.