A few months ago I started mindfulness meditation using an app on my phone. I started because, like most people, I had heard that meditation and mindfulness was good for you and then a client of mine recommended it and I could see the enormous change in their wellbeing and approach to life. I decided to give it a go, not really thinking that much would change for me.
I have now been meditating for nearly 4 months – and it really has made a difference to my life. When I tell clients, friends and family about it, lots of people tell me they couldn’t do it, they can’t clear their mind, they can’t sit still, they’ve tried but they failed. But I think that giving yourself 5-10 minutes a day is a gift of self-care and it is meditation practice after all.
So why should you meditate? Let me tell you about my experience and this is backed up by numerous research studies:
Meditation makes you happier. Meditation is known to enhance the flow of constructive thoughts and positive emotions. Even a few minutes spent meditating regularly can make a big difference.
Meditation helps you manage anxiety, stress and depression. The transformative potential of meditation shouldn’t be underestimated.
Meditation benefits are almost immediate. A sense of calmness and peace of mind are common experiences, even if this feeling is fleeting and subtle. Some people worry that meditation is having the opposite effect because their minds seem busier than ever. My advice: stick with it, and keep your sessions short. Meditation isn’t about wiping the slate of your mind clean; it’s about being aware of what appears there.
Meditation helps you fall asleep and improves sleep quality. I found that my sleep patterns improved in the first week or two of starting to meditate and I now regularly sleep for 7 hours a night; and even if I do wake up I find I can get back to sleep much more easily than ever before.
Meditation sharpens your memory. With mindfulness meditation, you train in remaining aware of the present moment in a non-judgmental manner. This really helps to enhance your concentration skills.
Meditation generates empathy and kindness. In general, it has been observed that people who practice meditation tend to have more empathy and kindness towards others. These individuals tend to impart positive feelings to others, are quick to forgive, and move on with life.
Meditation can be done almost anywhere and at almost any time. There’s no need for specialised equipment or space and you can start by practising for only a few minutes each day.
Breathe in. Breathe out. Sometimes it’s as simple as that.