World Meditation Day
It’s World Meditation Day on the 21st of May - so what better time is there to take meditation off your “I should try that someday…” list and finally get your zen on! It’s a day that serves as a gentle reminder that if you’re looking for less stress and calmer, meditation is an option.
Sure, in our busy lives, it can seem almost impossible to find some time for stillness and serenity - but science continues to find more and more reasons to encourage us to actually make time for this calming practice (think: increased awareness, better mood, increased productivity and super skin).
What is Meditation?
Many people are often intimidated by the word meditation; they see it as this scary and esoteric practice reserved just for spiritual monks. But in reality, it’s simply a tool to help increase awareness and gain a healthy sense of perspective, while also dialing down those cortisol levels. You’re not switching off your thoughts or feelings, it’s the practice of learning to observe your thoughts without any judgement, no matter how stress-inducing they may feel. Simply put, meditation means tuning in and being present.
Take a moment and reboot
The process of meditating is pretty simple and straightforward: all you have to do is sit and breathe. We’ve outlined a few simple steps that you can take to ease yourself into meditation today.
1. Take a seat
Find a place to get comfortable that feels calming and peaceful to you. You can sit in a chair, lie down or you can even sit cross-legged, whatever works for you.
2. Set yourself a timer
If you’re just starting out, setting a timer can be helpful - little and often is the way to go! Aim to begin with five to ten minutes.
3. Close your eyes
4. Feel your breath
Follow the sensation of your breath as you take deep breaths in and out. Deep breathing invokes a relaxation response that can help regulates the body’s stress hormone, so deep breaths are definitely the way to go!
Tip: Hold for three to seven counts, and then slowly exhale for eight counts. Repeat and feel the relaxation run through your body.
5. Be kind to your mind
It’s okay if your mind beings to wander. Don’t judge yourself or worry. Once you become aware of your wandering mind, gently bring your attention back to your breathing.
Use these supplements to ease you into meditation
Sometimes, the act of sitting down and actually meditating can seem like a long and arduous one. But you can ease yourself into meditation by including a selection of natural calming ingredients to help ease any tension to set that zen mood! You could take our Organic Ashwagandha supplement, an adaptogenic herb to support relaxation, just before you begin meditation.
To help overcome the effects of any stress, you could also include a Black Maca Root supplement, as it’s considered to protect against stress and fatigue.
We also recommend taking a magnesium supplement, a vital mineral, to help relax the body throughout your meditation session.
Written by Riya Lakhani ANutr
Riya Lakhani ANutr is a registered nutritionist and health writer with a special interest in plant-based nutrition. She has completed a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Human Nutrition, and has developed a passion for writing about all things plant-based.