Breaking Down 3 Popular Styles of Meditation

By Stepy Kamei

You've more than likely heard about meditation even if you haven't practiced it yourself. If you're not too familiar with the art of meditating, you may think there's only one way to meditate, and therefore may be discouraged from it altogether by thinking one specific method is not right for you. Many people don't realize that there are actually multiple ways to meditate. Furthermore, it's a practice that can be taken at your own pace, and can be done in as little as two minutes if that's all you have the time for on any given day! Read on to learn more about three common forms of meditation to see if one resonates with your lifestyle!

The Benefits of Meditation

Meditation is a practice praised by physical and mental healthcare professionals for its many benefits. People who meditate on a regular basis tend to report reduced stress and anxiety, improved sleep, lower blood pressure, and even a reduced risk of developing conditions such as obesity and cardiovascular disease over time! Meditation can also improve focus, memory, and cognitive thinking skills.

Now that you know how meditation can benefit you, the next step is figuring out which type of meditation you should ease into first!

Mindfulness Meditation

This type of meditation is one of the easiest and most common to try out. It simply involves sitting or lying down in a quiet, dark space, and allowing your thoughts to pass through your head however they please. The goal is to observe your thoughts and thought patterns without judging or trying to change them. This can help improve your focus while decreasing anxiety, and can be practiced alone or with a guide.

Focused Meditation

In a similar vein to mindfulness techniques, focused meditation involves using at least one of the five senses to concentrate on your surrounding environment. Staring into a candle flame, smelling essential oils, or touching stones are just a few ways you can practice this type of meditation in order to improve your concentration and focus.

Mantra Meditation

Finally, mantra meditation involves chanting a repetitive word, sound, or phrase in order to clear the mind and banish anxious thought patterns. "Om" is a classic chant, but you can use an empowering phrase as well, such as "Today I will focus on the positive" or "I am grateful for my good health." This practice can greatly boost your mood and reduce feelings of depression and low mood.

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