Seems like we’re all home a lot more nowadays, so allow me to offer you 8 Tips for Better Meditation at home. The thing is, Meditation in a group or class studio is actually a little easier. In formal settings, a lot of the things that get in the way of deep, nourishing meditation have been removed for you. Conversely, when left to our own environments and devices, we may benefit from a little DIY Meditation tune-up. It doesn’t take a lot, but a little more than showing up can make a huge difference. Meditation isn’t complicated, but you serve yourself best when you can set up space to gain the most from your practice. So, let’s visit my top tips from migrating from DIY disaster to seasoned master in no time.
A Flawless Meditation Approach From The Comfort of Home
There are many things that can disturb your ability to focus. If you can control the variables that interfere with your focus, you can mediate more effectively.
- Limit distractions. Find a peaceful time and place for meditation. Turn off the radio, TV, and cell phone (it’s only temporary). Close the windows and doors to avoid the noise outside. Consider setting a timer to avoid meditating for too long or falling asleep.
- Slowly increase the distractions. Most people meditate alone, in a dimly lit, quiet space. The real trick is to be able to meditate in a loud, crowded, uncomfortable space. If you can meditate under less-than-ideal conditions, the rest will be easy, but first, we have to condition ourselves up to that. If you’ve been practicing for a while, start with introducing small distractions (allow the cat to be in the room, leave a light on, etc). Once you’ve mastered those, and they don’t impact your meditations in any way, move on to more challenging ones. *A great idea is to take a minute or two and try to meditate in each situation you face throughout your day.
- Try meditating at the same time each day. Just as you get tired about the same time each night, your brain will learn to slow down and prepare for meditation. Whatever time of day you pick, remember, routine helps condition your mind and body to slip into quality meditation with ease. In other words, utilize a consistent schedule to help train your brain.
- Limit your food intake before meditating. Avoid eating anything for a few hours before you meditate. Digestion requires a lot of energy, and often introduces noise and sensation elements into your meditation. Besides, a fully belly makes it all too easy to meditate yourself right past enlightenment and straight to sleep. An empty stomach is one of the best ways to remain alert and focused during meditation.
- Ensure you have the correct posture. One of the most important parts of meditation is sitting in an upright position. Any slouching or leaning will create muscular tension to maintain that position and will interfere with your zen state. Also, proper posture and alignment allow your energies to balance and support your efforts in the best ways possible. Sit up straight to achieve maximum comfort.
- Relax your body. Tension is the enemy. When we consistently hold in the body, we’re not allowing meditation to do it’s job. Allow your energy to flow freely, letting go of all areas of holding. Be mindful, there is a tendency to tense the body when concentrating or focusing and this can make your pursuit a bit more complicated. Think of meditation as allowing whatever it is that you need to float right into the blank space of nothingness. Focus freely, without straining. The more you practice focusing without holding tension in the body, the quicker it becomes a habit. You’ll find that when muscular tension starts to creep in, you’ll automatically notice it and be able to ask it to relax.
- Meditate in a familiar environment. It’s important to learn to meditate in a variety of environments but try to spend most of your meditation time in one place. In order to let go, we have a basic need to feel totally safe in our physical environment. As a Bonus, you’ll begin to associate that location with meditation and find yourself practicing even more, without reminders or effort.
- Reflect on your meditation. Ask yourself what you can do to meditate even better. It seems a bit silly, seeing as how meditation is what it is, but ask yourself anyways. What could enrich your personal practice? Keep asking this question and use the answers to your advantage.
Meditation has so many benefits, but there are probably even more benefits than you realize. The more effectively you meditate, the more you’ll get out of it. When you first sit down to meditate, remind yourself that all your challenges and concerns will have to wait until you’re finished. Answer the call for deeper reflection. Keeping distracting thoughts and stimulus at bay is a powerful tool, both during meditation and in life in general. Consider these tips and see if you can create a better meditatio experience at home. Let me know what works and doesn’t work for you, maybe jot down a note or two in your journal. May you enjoy the benefits of deeper and more meaningful meditation sessions in whatever envirnoment that you find yourself. Tips into practice = greatest rewards.
Namaste.