If you sat down meditating, focusing on your breath, and suddenly wondered, “What should I do about all these thoughts?” The mind chatter does not seem to get off your mind no matter how much you try. So, what do we do in this case? Let us begin.
What do you know about meditation?
Meditation practices are techniques that encourage you to build concentration, emotional clarity, and positivity. It helps you to transform your mind and channelize your strengths well. It has been shown to benefit psychological and physical well-being. Severe conditions like depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, sleep problems can be well managed through meditation.
When it comes to practicality, we have simultaneous thoughts going on, so naturally, this is not something we can turn off at will. However, meditation teaches us not to linger on our thoughts and not to let go. Instead, we can allow them to come and go without shattering the emotions.
Here are some helpful tips to help your mind next time when you sit down to meditate:
1. Make a routine
Start every day at the same time. It doesn’t matter if you meditate for a few minutes. We have to follow the routine because it trains our brain into a meditation zone. Pick a time that is convenient and feels suitable for you. Make it a practice to stick to the time after a while; you will even get used to meditating at that particular time.
2. Find a quiet and comfortable place
After you find a quiet place to meditate without interruption, avoid electronics that can distract you. Then dim the lights. Sit on the floor or chair, preferably the floor with crossed legs and your back straight.
3. Close your eyes
Take a moment to close your eyes, try to relax, loosen your body. When you close your eyes, you remove the external distractions that your eyes feed into your brain.
4. Concentrate on your breath
As you are now relaxed, breathe naturally and try to sense your breath. Focus on breathing; you inhale and exhale. Feel the air gushing through your nose and coming out through your mouth. Feel your chest expanding and contracting. Sometimes have a vision in your mind that you can follow for better concentration.
5. Do not try to suppress your thought
Your mind is not stationary; it is bound to wander as you meditate. In the beginning stages of meditation, it is normal to have inner voices and mind chatter. Do not try to stop thinking actively, sometimes leading to discomfort and distress. Instead, allow your thoughts to flow through your mind. Instead, acknowledge your thoughts without judging them, but do not engage them and then gently guide your focus back toward your breathing.
6. Pen down your thoughts
Sometimes when you have a heavy load of thoughts going in your mind, it makes sense to pen your thoughts in a journal. This exercise will make you feel lighter, and you will be in a better state to begin the meditation. Once you close your eyes, you will feel the difference.
7. Practice
Everything comes down to the only mantra for any success that humans have ever desired. Practicing consistently can teach your mind to be calm and focused. Once you practice, you can easily see the change within yourself, and you will become the master of your emotions.
Practicing mindfulness allows you to maintain a clear and spacious mind, one that accommodates anything. In a nutshell, meditation is going to improve your quality of life with all thoughts included.