10 Tips for Getting Started with Meditation

1) Just Start

Just start. Don’t worry about where you’re starting from. There is no perfect time to start meditating and there will never be a better time than right now.

2) Try Different Things

If you’re new to meditation, don’t get discouraged if you don’t like it immediately. Try different things until you find a type of meditation that resonates with you.

3) Find Supportive People

Practicing meditation isn’t always easy, so it helps to find supportive people who can encourage you when you need help. If possible, try finding a support group that practices regularly.

4) Don’t Compare Yourself to Others

If you’re new to meditation, start by not comparing yourself to others. Meditation is a very personal experience and what works for one person may not work at all for another. It can be tempting to compare your practice with someone else who seems to have it all together, but remember that they are on their journey and they have their challenges just like you do.

5) Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable

Yoga and other meditation practices can be uncomfortable at first, but discomfort is part of growth. As we get more experienced with these practices, we’ll find ourselves feeling more comfortable in our skin.

6) Meditate Alone

There are always going to be distractions when it comes to meditation. Find a quiet space, or meditate alone so you don’t have anything else to focus on but your breathing and how you feel in that moment.

7) Read about It

One of the best ways to get into meditation is to read about it. There are tons of blogs, articles, and books out there that can help you through your first experiences.

8) Practice Mindfulness in Daily Life

One of the biggest barriers to becoming a successful meditator is simply being able to make time in your busy life to sit still and concentrate. However, you can practice mindfulness without sitting down, even while doing everyday tasks like washing dishes or taking out the trash. Even if you don’t follow all ten tips below, integrating one or two into your daily routine will help get you started on a successful meditation journey.

9) Make it a Habit

Habit is key to developing a meditation practice. Set aside time every day (morning, afternoon, evening) and try to do it at that time each day. Don’t be upset if you have a busy day or are unable to make it at your normal time: pick another time and stick with it. After some time has passed, you may find that you no longer need to set a reminder on your phone or your calendar; You’ll know it’s that time of day when you start feeling stressed out or tight in your chest and will stop everything else so you can take care of yourself by sitting down and meditating.

10) Be Patient & Consistent

Be patient and consistent with your meditation practice, even if you don’t feel like it will work. Meditation takes time to show results, so if you practice often, you will begin to see what is possible!