Meditation – What is Meditation, how to meditate, types of meditation

Meditation has been placed under the health category of the wheel, as its practice has vital positive benefits on the mind and overall wellbeing. The key is about clearing your mind from the past and future worries, and instead focusing on being in the present moment, noticing your breath, and using all your senses together to appreciate the smells, the sounds, the visuals, the textures, tastes, and feelings that surround you. Being aware of your surroundings and your senses helps to clear anxieties, bring clarity of mind, appreciation for what you have and a clear vision if what you desire. It can help relax you when you are worried about an outcome, or feelings of stress about your decisions, it can help you trust yourself and your choices.

Meditation 1 – the 5 senses. Practice being in the present moment and being aware of all of your senses. A great way to do this is perhaps during a nature walk. Keeping in the present moment, keeping your mind clear of anything else except your 5 senses, and noticing and appreciating everything around you for simply what it is. The smell from a local bakery, the sound of the birds, the sun light coming down on a spring morning, are you hot or cold? how do your clothes feel? These meditations don’t need to take time, you can start practicing your 5 sense meditation whilst out with good friends, helping you appreciate whats going on around you. Mindful eating is another great example. Try practicing during lunch or dinner, to appreciate the taste and smell of your food. Notice how much better it tastes when you slow down to enjoy every mouthful.

Meditation 2 – Guided Visualisations. These focus on your emotions, you listen to someone walking you through it, visualising a specific scenario to help you picture a certain outcome for example. These strengthen your belief in yourself, as if you can visualise a positive outcome for your future self, and the steps you need to take you there, you are far more likely to believe you can achieve it, and rise from the falls along the way. This helps you to expect success instead of worry about what may not work out. This works very well paired with a personal positive affirmation. Celebrities, successful athletes, actors on stage, they all practice positive visualisation to expect a positive outcome and that is what has helped them get to where they are today. This can also be used in conflict resolution, if a situation is causing worry or anxiety, visualise both sides of the problem, visualise a positive conversation and a positive outcome. You can find guided meditations for every category on calming apps, or you can make up your own. A personal morning visualisation to plan your day, as part of your daily routine, is the best way to ensure a positive outcome.

Meditation 3 – Using breathwork to alleviate stress in stressful situations. This can be done in the classroom, perhaps during an exam when stress hits in, perhaps if you’re feeling uncomfortable in your surroundings with friends, or you’re worried about an outcome, then just tune into the present moment, shut your eyes, focus on your breath, count your breath, perhaps notice you senses, and calm your mind, until you feel ready to manage the situation

Keep a journal, use your Be-Zing app, document your moods, and note the things that make you feel grateful and happy. Perhaps upload a picture to help you remember any special moments along the way.