Meditation: Why You Need to Start Practicing it NOW!

So often during our busy lives we find ourselves craving solitude. Longing for some much needed “me time.” A break from agendas, schedules and the dreaded to-do lists. But what if solitude was just part of our daily lives? What if this became routine, just as much as brushing our teeth? Would anything change? Would we feel differently? The answer is an astonishing YES! It is possible to create positive changes in your life by incorporating a simple, daily meditation practice. I’m here to tell you my friends that this one simple act can have some serious impacts on your life.

Before we dive into the good stuff, I want to first start off by saying that of course we were meant to have these wonderful minds capable of creating endless, limitless, boundless thoughts all day everyday. I’m not saying this is bad by any means. Our minds are doing exactly what they are meant to do, but it never hurts to give our brains a much needed break every now and then.

Sometimes hitting the pause button gives us a chance to recharge and refuel. It allows us to really connect with ourselves on a much deeper level.

So often it can feel like we are flying through life, running errands, meeting deadlines, getting groceries and making dinner. But at what point during all of life’s crazy demands are you finding the time to be alone with yourself? To listen to yourself and really sit and think about what it is you truly want. Take the time to make time for YOU.

So let’s get right into it.

Clarity

When you are clear, calm, relaxed and focused you begin to bridge pathways to different parts of the brain, giving you access to knowledge and information that you couldn’t reach before.

Silencing your mind for even a few minutes each day will help you sort out the jumbled mish mash of messy thoughts from the ones you really need to be focusing on. The ones coming directly from your heart and soul.

Calm

When we let go of all distractions, thoughts, worries, fears etc we are left with a beautiful energy that wraps around us like a warm, safe blanket. Protecting us from whatever life tries to throw our way.

It’s always with us, but sometimes we do need to put a little effort into finding it. That’s where meditation comes in. Meditation allows us to access this incredible, calming energy within us so that we can find the strength to reach our full potential each and every day.

Patience

To many meditation can look as though you’re sitting there by yourself doing nothing for 20 minutes. And you might ask yourself who the heck has that kind of time?? But just because you can’t see the benefits doesn’t mean they don’t exist.

Patience is one of the greatest gifts meditation has brought to my life. Practicing the patience needed to sit with myself in complete stillness transcends into my day to day life too. Whether that be long lines at the grocery store, rush hour traffic or even quarrels with the boyfriend.

Practicing patience allows you to look at the situation through a new lens. You gain just a little more perspective and who couldn’t use a little of that every now and then?

Release Physical & Mental Tension

During moments of solitude do a quick body scan and focus your attention on areas within your body where you feel physically tense. Once you notice these exact points begin breathing into them to relax them.

Often times stress and anxiety can manifest themselves into physical tension within the body. As you continue breathing you will begin to fall into a deeper meditative state. This will help relieve the mental stress and ultimately help in reducing the physical tension that can come along with it. It is basically a win win 🙂

Reconnect with Yourself

Giving yourself the space and the time to reflect allows you to reconnect with who you are. By silencing your mind you are able to give yourself some true “me time.” Gift yourself this time to clear the clutter and focus on your wants, dreams and desires. Self reflection can be intimating, but is necessary in order to learn and grow.

Always keep in mind that these incredible benefits are only available to you as long as you practice on a regular basis. And like anything else with practice you will continue to improve. But there is a flip side to this- what you have gained will easily be lost by not keeping up with a consistent routine. So find some time every day to give your mental health some much needed love.

For more pops of positivity check out 10 Happiness Habits or How to Live a More Positive Lifestyle.

Happy Meditating