Meditation for Anxiety

3 Simple, Underemphasized Keys to Meditating

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Everyone who’s anyone these days are meditating. At least that’s what it seems like. And they all look so peaceful and calm. At least upon first look. Do they know something you don’t because you just can’t get the hang of it?

Possibly.

And if so, it’s likely to be the following 3 simply, underemphasized keys to meditating. Try these 3 and see if your practice doesn't take some giant leaps!

  1. Calm will come. Seriously. You wouldn’t expect to lose weight after one day of trying would you? Likewise, you wouldn’t expect to get that promotion after one day of hard work. Same with meditation. Keep trying. Anyone who leads you to believe otherwise isn’t a meditator.

  2. Baby steps. Start with a short period of time in a comfortable position. Your couch? In bed? At your kitchen table? 1 minute? 4? Nothing is off limits. If you make it hard or don’t have the time, you aren’t going to do it. Period. Set yourself up to succeed at least. This isn’t the place to explore your purist roots.

  3. Lower your expectations. Don’t let the word bliss even enter your thinking. Blank slate? Forget about it! You will have a constant stream of thoughts, I guarantee it. Don’t expect anything but what you get. Sorta like telling a tantruming kid, “You’ll get what you get and don’t throw a fit!” Tough love to the rescue.

What key to meditation would you add?

The Secret Coffee Meditation No One Talks About

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Who: You and anyone else who wants to start a meditation practice that will stick.

What: The Coffee Meditation. It’s simply meditating on your couch or overstuffed living room chair (or any other upright comfortable position) with a hot mug of coffee in your hands.

Why: Because you’ll actually do it.

When: First thing in the morning before everyone gets up. Or whenever it works for your schedule. The key to the success of this meditation is to personalize it so it fits your life in a way that you’ll do it.

How: Pour yourself a cup of coffee (or tea if you’re a tea drinker). Sit in a comfortable spot. Hold your coffee firmly on your lap or set it down beside you. Set your alarm for however many minutes you want to meditate. Start meditating. Feel free to take sips from your coffee during this meditation. When you drink, turn your attention onto your coffee. After your yummy sip, turn it back to your breath or however else you are meditating.

Repeat each day.