3 Ways to Bring Meditation to Your Day

Ever wonder how all those peaceful happy people out there started meditating, and how they find time to do it?

This is something worth pondering isn't it? Where do people find the time to meditate? How do people start? Is there a guideline for beginners? So many questions! Isn't meditation supposed to help clear the questions and supply the answers? "Meditation is essentially the process of cutting through our brain's static and finding focus." This process has countless health benefits (think stress relief, lowered blood pressure, battling depression, etc.) and it's time we beginners jump in! Here's three ways to get started:

Go for a walk, a real walk: Make time for a walk with just you and only you. It helps if you find a quieter place outdoors. As you walk focus on how your foot falls. Feel each step, be aware of how it feels when your foot touches the ground. Pay attention to the sensory details. This exercise helps give your mind one thing to focus on while you are walking. As you walk other worries and thoughts start to give way, and soon you will find yourself in a peaceful state of meditation. 

Find meditation in the regular: Amit Sood, author of "The Mayo Clinic Guide to Stress-Free Living," suggests you make regular experiences "novel experiences." When he comes home from work he acts as though he hasn't seen his family in 30 days. This allows him to center all his feelings and attention on the loved ones in front of him. "Meditation is nothing mystical," Sood says. "It's basically your trained attention." So find ways to train your attention to those you love the most, and watch your mental health thrive. 

Send out "silent gratitude": Another exercise Sood recommends is called "silent gratitude," and it is something he suggests we start our day with. When you wake up your first thoughts can be anything from panic, a list of to-do's, or worrying about what to wear. Imagine if instead of starting your waking day with those thoughts you take a few minutes to appreciate people you love. Tomorrow morning when you wake-up close your eyes and picture the face of someone you love dearly. Really focus on their face, and silently send them gratitude for being in your life. This short exercise in meditation and gratitude will help you focus, and value what is important in this life. You don't have to limit this exercise to mornings only, try it while you are waiting in line at the super market. It beats wasting time staring at gossip magazines!

Always consult your chiropractor or primary care physician for all your health related advice.

Article Credit: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/09/meditation-for-beginners_n_3683131.html?utm_hp_ref=less-stress-more-living