2 years ago

Calm the body and the mind
-Here’s a simple tip that helps calm the body and mind before meditation: breathe. Before you start meditating, sit down, give yourself a minute to remember the purpose of your practice, and take several deep, full breaths. On the exhale, deliberately let go of any pressures or worries. As you breathe, plant yourself in the present. Take stock of any physical tensions and relax the different stress-accumulating parts of your body, including your shoulders, jaw and forehead.

Find contentment
-The brain is designed to seek pleasure and reject pain. Before you start practicing deep breathing meditation, try finding a place of contentment and joy within yourself. Once your brain has picked up the message that you are safe and all is well, restlessness and anxiety naturally decrease. Here are a few ideas to cheer the mind:

-Repeat a positive affirmation, such as “Right here, right now, I feel happy and content.”
-Recall some of the things you’re grateful for. Imagine that you are able to thank all those who made it possible for you to experience them.
-Remember that you’re taking some YOU time to grow – not just for yourself, but also so that you can be more available to others.
-Remind yourself of your purpose and the gladness you’ve already experienced thanks to meditation.

Peaceful transition
-When your timer indicates the end of your meditation session, exit gently rather than hastily. Whether you’ve had “deep meditation” experiences or not is secondary to the fact that you’ve just trained in mindfulness and given your mind space to settle and become self-aware. Try to extend your calm state of mind. Move your neck, fingers and arms gently, open your eyes wider, and stretch. Bring your well-being with you as you continue with your other activities.