Wellness
How Meditation Can Help Increase Your Wellness Habits
By Kareem Azeez 10 June 2024 | 9:32 am Meditation is a process of calming our nerves and washing away stress from our daily routine, which is understandably affecting our daily productive lives. However, meditation is not well practised in many places in Nigeria, due to a lack of more information about how to meditate and why it is necessary. But what if there…
Woman meditation at sunset. Photo: Huffington Post
However, meditation is not well practised in many places in Nigeria, due to a lack of more information about how to meditate and why it is necessary.
But what if there was a simple, daily practice that could help you cultivate focus, reduce anxiety, and boost your overall well-being? This is why you need to take meditation seriously, and how it can help you increase your wellness habits.
Why you should meditate
Meditating is about training your attention and awareness. This is also done by focusing on your breath, a mantra, or even bodily sensations, you learn to observe your thoughts and feelings without being carried away in your thinking. This simple act has a profound impact on your physical and mental well-being.
Benefits of meditating
Reduces stress and anxiety: Studies indicate that meditation can lower cortisol levels, which is the stress hormone, leading to a calmer and less challenging way to respond to issues surrounding us.
Aids focus and concentration levels: By training your attention, meditation can aid your focus and concentration levels on how to handle the various tasks at hand and reduce distractions.
Comfortable and better sleep: Meditation can promote relaxation and quieten the mind, leading to deeper, more restful sleep. Everyone needs this, including the person reading this right now.
How to build your meditation practice
The interesting thing about meditation is that is it available everywhere. You don’t need any special equipment or a dedicated room. Here’s how to get started:
Start Small: Begin with just a few minutes a day. ten minutes a day can make a difference.
A quiet space: Choose a place where you won’t be interrupted.
Focus on your breath: Start by simply observing your breath, noticing the rise and fall of your chest or abdomen.
Anyhow you do it is okay: Don’t worry about achieving a state of perfect emptiness. Focus on the practice itself. Whichever way you have carried it out is okay. There are many guided meditations available online. They can be a helpful tool, especially for beginners.
READ ALSO: Music, meditation and celebration: Essential ingredients for holistic well-being
Make meditation a habit
Making meditating a daily routine takes consistent practice. You can Integrate meditation into your daily schedule, perhaps first thing in the morning or before bed. As you continue to grow in your practice, you will find yourself feeling calmer, more focused, and better equipped to take care of life’s challenges.
