Everyone has a different opinion on the concept of meditation. There are people who have never and will never try meditating, and there are those who can’t go a day without it.
No matter where you fall on the spectrum, we know one thing is for certain—you need a break. Even in the time of a global pandemic, where some of us have much less to do than we normally would, there comes a time where we all need a moment to simply be.
Who Needs To Meditate?
Frontline Workers
One type of person who’s most likely in dire need of a break right now is the frontline worker. We can’t thank them enough for all that they’ve done and all they continue to do. Their level of perseverance is incredible. When a frontline worker comes home, they may be desperate for some sense of solace, and meditation is the perfect solution.
Parents
Another type of person who has surely been drained by the year of quarantining is all the parents out there. Moms and dads, working from home or not, are taking care of young children day in and day out. Trying hard to keep kids busy and shape their childhood from inside the home is hard work, and a little meditation and you-time might be helpful.
Teachers
Meditation would also be a great tool for teachers right about now. Teachers all across the country (and all across the world) are working to educate our next generation from home or in person with restrictions. In some cases, they’re teaching dozens of students in the classroom while maintaining extreme safety precautions. Oof.
Young Adults
Young adults might also benefit from a bit of meditation these days. This year has put a massive halt on a lot of people’s lives, socially, academically, and professionally. Countless students graduated from college at home, only to step into the real world and find that it was in crisis mode—and still is. Unexpectedly moving back into their childhood bedrooms in their 20’s must be stressful, so a little meditation can help you get a better grasp on things.
My Space Isn’t Meant For Meditation
Sure it is. You may be thinking, “Alright, I’ll give it a try. But where am I supposed to do this?” That’s why we’re here. We’re going to give you a list of things you can do to get started with meditation quickly and easily. It doesn’t have to be a whole process!
You’ll be happy to know that an entire room does not have to be dedicated to meditation for you to feel relaxed and ready to go. There’s no magic recipe for the perfect design of a zen space, but here are some of our favorite ways to mellow out your room:
Decide Why You Want To Meditate
Meditation works best when you set intentions for yourself. Take a moment to think about it. On a busy schedule, this mantra could be something as simple as “I will get through today” or “I will focus today and accomplish all I need to get done.”
Find Enough Floor Space For You To Stretch Out
Like we said, your “meditation room” doesn’t have to be a room. It can be the center of a living room, a space in your bedroom, or even a small area of your office. As long as you aren’t touching things when you stretch your arms and legs out, you’re good to go.
Turn Off And Put Away All Electronics
This is a big one. We know how easy it is to scroll away all day long. We also know how nice it is to have all the newest, shiny gadgets in the house. Contrary to popular belief, we don’t need them—especially all day. Turn them off. You’ll thank us later when you’re totally zenned out.
Find Your Light
Lighting is something that’s different for everyone. Some people may find that they feel most relaxed in very dim lighting, while others love to feel the warmth of the sun on their face as they meditate. Find what is best for you! We recommend either a dark room with a soft lamp or natural lighting from your windows.
Make It You
You can have all the gadgets the internet tells you to buy, and you can do all of the little things the internet suggests you do, but at the end of the day it comes down to you. How you choose to relax is unique. Nowadays, we’re so focused on everything being aesthetically pleasing, but what really matters is whether it’s working for you.
How To Set Up Your Zen Space
While it isn’t about having all of the products related to meditation in the world, it’s possible you’ve set up your zen space and still sort of, well, hate it. If you’re willing to invest a little to get that sense of calm and bliss in your day, we have a few ideas for you.
- Maybe the yoga mat isn’t for you. You may find that you don’t need stretching as much as you need stillness. If you’d rather be still, we recommend a CordaRoy’s Bean Bag Chair. Not only are these ridiculously comfy, but they also convert into a bed that’s equally as soft. Yup.
- Is it hard for you to escape? Do you feel like you’re just sitting on your living room carpet, no matter what you do? Try a diffuser. Find your favorite scent of essential oil, add it to the diffuser and close your eyes. Let the scent distract you and take you somewhere else.
- Is your pet bothering you while you’re trying to manifest? Do they want in on the fun? Get them a nice pet bed. This way, your furry friend can relax as they keep an eye on you.
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Maybe add some music to the routine. A lot of people easily find some of their favorite meditation tunes on YouTube. Whatever music allows you to turn your mind away from the distractions in your life and turn towards your inner feelings is what you should be using.
Types Of Meditation
Don’t let the retail therapy fool you. Just having the things you need to meditate is not enough. What you may be overlooking is what kind of meditation suits you best. If you’re struggling to find the right routine, you’ve come to the right place.
Transcendental Meditation
This form of meditation is one of the more popular routines people follow these days. In this type of meditation, you use mantras—a phrase or series of words that you choose.
One reason why this is a popular way to meditate is that it’s quite customizable. You may do this type of mediation on a daily basis, but you will have a unique experience each time based on your mantra of choice.
Mindfulness Meditation
If you just can’t seem to turn your mind off when you meditate, this may be the best choice for you. Mindfulness meditation is a practice in which you observe all that you’re thinking and feeling throughout the session.
The point of this exercise is to focus on how you feel without judging yourself. It is a type of meditation that can easily be done solo.
Progressive Relaxation Meditation
With this type of meditation, you are encouraged to relax each muscle in your body, one by one, from head to toe. Usually paired with some sort of audible instruction, people find it nice to release tension in a section by section pattern.
Movement Meditation
A lot of people struggle with meditation because they don’t want to be sitting still for that long. If sitting in a dark room without moving for thirty minutes isn’t making your day any better, don’t do it! Movement meditation is an option to try instead.
Movement meditation is pretty self-explanatory. A lot of people find that pairing a soothing hobby with meditation is the best way to relax. This can include nature walks, gardening, reading, and more.
In Conclusion
We hope some of these ideas will help you stay zen. Relaxation has a different definition for everyone, and the only way to find out what truly works for you is by testing all the options out!
Don’t give up on letting yourself have that extra slice of the day that’s dedicated to serenity. There are so many things to be stressed about in life—why not enjoy some peace and quiet from time to time?
One last thing—meditation doesn’t have to be done alone! Find a friend who’s stressing over their own things and meditate together. There are tons of meditation classes to take, online videos to watch, and clubs to join when it comes to the world of meditating.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/types-of-meditation#movement -meditation
https://www.mymove.com/home-inspiration/trends/how-to-make-your-home-totally-zen/
