6 tips for starting a meditation practice

Meditation is on the rise, and for a good reason. Practicing meditation eases stress and anxiety and even has a physical effect. Some studies show that the incidence of heart disease and other complications is lowered by those who employ the breathing techniques and peacefulness that comes with meditation.

For those who want to start meditating, sometimes too much thought goes into how to begin. Meditation is about mindfulness, not overexertion of your thoughts. Here are six simple ways to get started.

1. Start small.
Remember not to feel overwhelmed. This may be new to you, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. Begin — the rest is easy.

2. Form a designated space.
Your meditation space can be anywhere, including a corner of your living room or the floor of your office. Don’t feel like you have to have a room solely for meditation; any space where you know that is where you can go to practice is the space for you.

3. Meditate on a schedule.
Don’t worry if you don’t follow your schedule exactly. Simply having some semblance of a schedule will keep you motivated to continue on your new-found meditation journey.

4. Utilize an app.
There are so many phone applications now, such as Calm and Headspace, that guide you in meditation. Both of these apps track your meditation activities in some way, and they serve as a fun way to stay motivated.

5. Consider investing in comfort.
Meditation is all about being in the moment, but how can you focus on anything else during your meditation time if you’re distracted by a chair that forces you to keep adjusting how you’re sitting.

6. Let others know your intentions.
Whether it’s a spouse, your children or a roommate, letting those you live with know that you want to pick up the practice of meditation will help them understand when you take a moment to yourself.

Follow these tips, and you’ll be comfortable practicing the art of meditation in no time. Remember to begin small, and all the rest will fall into place.