Practicing meditation has by far been the best habit I have taken on in my life. It has helped me start my days with a clear mind, become more attentive of myself and my surroundings, but most importantly it has been a self-discovery journey.
The beauty of meditation is that everyone can do it. Here are some tips for those of you who have been thinking about implementing meditation in your daily lives, but don’t know where to start. We got you.
1. Start small
Start by just sitting for two minutes a day for one week. It may seem like a short amount of time, but we’re just getting used to being still. It takes time to form a habit, so we don’t want to start big and give up on it. If that goes smoothly, add two more minutes. Every week you should try to increase it by two minutes. By month two you’ll already be at 10 minutes!
2: Meditate first thing in the morning
While it’s easy to say, “I can do this everyday”, we can get carried away with busy days and forget, which is totally normal. To prevent this, I would set an alarm first thing in the morning, label it “Meditate”, and hold yourself accountable. When starting up a new habit It is also helpful to do it at the same time every day, just to build a routine. Consistency is key!
3. Setting up your space
One thing I would recommend is to put your phone on “Do Not Disturb” before you begin, notification sounds will throw you off. No FOMO! It will still be there when you’re finished! I personally like to sit on the floor on a mat or a cushion; here is my personal favorite cushion. Find a place with no distractions. If the weather is nice, take it outside! It is also very important to wear comfortable clothing, you want something that won’t be distracting (I prefer the Ayda Skye Onesie).
4. Don’t stress about the “How” - Just do
Sometimes with meditation, people can get caught in their head. Don’t ask yourself if you’re doing it right, just do it! Find your comfortable spot, whether that’s sitting or laying down. There are no rules. As you advance and reach 10, 15, 20 minutes, you can then start looking into things that will improve your experience.
5. Take note of how you feel
Keep track of how you’re feeling as you get into your meditative journey. Are you feeling less stressed? Thinking more clearly? Improving your sleep? Also keep track of the days that you aren’t meditating. Note the difference; this can be a great motivator.
P.S. If you don’t get it right away - remember that it’s called a practice for a reason!
According to the Chief Wellness Advisor for Love Wellness, Dr. Jodie Horton, “It takes 21 days to create a habit, and 90 days to make it part of your lifestyle. After you complete the 90 days, the habit will be as much a part of your daily lifestyle as brushing your teeth.”
We are so excited for you to start this journey Ayda fam. This is a lifestyle investment that’s worth every second of your time!