PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
MEDITATION OR MINDFULNESS
Introducing mindfulness and meditation into your life is easy. You don’t need any specific tools and you can start with a simple-two minute practise. Just a short time using specific breathing techniques or focusing your thoughts on the sensations you re experiencing will start you on the path to feeling calm in your mind.
From here you can develop your meditative and mindfulness practise. While the two terms are used interchangeably, it is helpful to understand the difference. Mediation usually involves a more intentional and formal approach using breathing techniques, specific positions and also sounds to create calm and balance in your mind. Mindfulness is more informal; it can be done anywhere using what you are experiencing in the immediate present to focus your thoughts.
A NOTE ON MENTAL HEALTH
The aim of both mindfulness and mediation is to bring a sense go calm and peace to your mind. This inner focus does not work for everyone as it can open up issues that should be handled with a mental health professional. If you are suffering from severe mental health issues, it would be wise to consult your doctor or another health professional before exploring meditation.
AND BREATHE
Bringing your focus to your breath is a key tenet of meditation because of the connection between your breath and your brain. By using your breath you can move from fight to flight response to rest and relax and through actively focusing on exhaling you can physically and mentally let go of tension.
Breathing is also an act we do in the present. Giving our attention to our breath allows us to root ourselves in the immediate experience.
DURATION OF PRACTISE
A suggested length of practise is given with most mediations, but ultimate you choose. Depending on how you feel and the time you have available, you may choose to be flexible.
MAKE YOURSELF COMFORTABLE
As your practise develops, you’ll no doubt find that you want to spend more extended periods in meditation. Spending a few minutes preparing for your practise will have a huge impact on your meditation. Think about your environment - the temperature, the potential distractions and your physical comfort.
However you choose to mediate, remember to be kind to yourself. Don’t worry if you find it hard to switch off or get comfortable, just start small and see where some long intentional breaths take you. Allow those thoughts to come, and allow them to go.