Written by Daichi H. at Belmont Library
Meditation is a powerful tool that can help you de-stress, improve focus, enhance memory and even sleep better. These are just a few of the many benefits I've experienced after meditating for around 2 years, albeit inconsistently. The potential for positive change is immense, and it's never too late to start!
My Story
Before I began meditating regularly, I struggled with maintaining focus and managing the stress of being a student. This pressure was affecting my mental health, and meditation really made a positive impact in my life. I started by meditating for one minute every other day and worked my way up to 10 minutes per night. This routine helped establish discipline and has allowed me to maintain better focus in all aspects of my life.
How Can I Meditate?
Meditation was easier than I expected, and I think you will feel that way too. Meditation is an especially fulfilling practice as a family—it can help foster a sense of unity, shared experience and increased accountability to not give up mid-session. You must first close your eyes and focus on one thing. Staying comfortable and choosing a position you like is essential. The point of focus during meditation can be internal sensations such as the feeling of air coursing through your nose, the rising and falling of your chest while breathing, along with countless other sensations. San Mateo County Libraries is happy to offer the Calm app for our patrons, which includes guided meditations and sleep stories. Calm also has daily meditation challenges that can help you stay consistent.
How Often and For How Long?
Even meditating for as short as one minute can have significant effects. However, as you go further down your meditating journey, aim for the recommended time for optimal benefits, which is around 10 minutes. Meditating every day can also be more difficult for some people. Just as gradually increasing the duration of meditation is recommended, consider working towards increasing the frequency of meditations. If you’re practicing as a family, lean on each other to be consistent and follow through.
Read More about Meditation
If you're eager to deepen your understanding and practice of meditation, I highly recommend exploring these books. They can provide valuable insights and techniques to enhance your meditation practice.
Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics
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