Meghan S.Namaste. In our modern world, every day seems to be rife with distractions and turmoil. However, mindfulness meditation — a form of meditation focusing on attention and acceptance — can help you tackle exterior stimuli by honing in on what you can control. While the ultimate goal should be practicing mindfulness meditation on a daily basis if possible, by tipping your toes into this world at the start and end of each month, you can start yourself off on a positive and life-changing journey that can benefit you across a wide range of physical and mental criteria.
The Benefits of Mindfulness Meditation
If you have not attempted meditation before, you might be skeptical of its practical benefits. After all, isn’t meditation just what goofy hippies and yogis do on Instagram? However, the act of meditation — and especially mindfulness meditation — can provide real, tangible assistance both mentally and physically. If your thoughts are racing, and you cannot get to the right mental space to be effective, then you would definitely benefit from the practice. If you are still skeptical, then you should know that, according to the Mayo Clinic, evidence suggests that meditation can help you conquer stress, anxiety, depression, and even insomnia. To top it all off, it also helps improve your attention span, the amount of sleep you get each night, and to keep your blood pressure under control. Most of all, you have nothing to lose by giving it a shot, especially when it comes to starting and ending each month on a bright, mindful note.
Start Your Month with Mindfulness Meditation
You want to start your month off on the right track. After you get your calendar filled out, and block off your time for the coming weeks ahead, you are going to want to begin a session of mindfulness meditation. For those who haven’t meditated before, don’t worry: it’s easier than it sounds, and doesn’t involve you folding into a pretzel like someone who has transferred their consciousness into another dimension. However, it’s important that you give yourself adequate time, and a properly quiet and relaxing space, in order to do it effectively. This could be found in your own home, a yoga class, a hospital, or just about anywhere else where you can enjoy guided or unguided meditation.
Once you have your venue of choice locked in you need to get into a proper meditative stance. Here are some basic steps to getting yourself in the right position for a “sitting meditation” session:
- Find somewhere comfortable to sit
- Sit with your back straight and feet flat against the floor
- Place your hands in your lap
Once you have attained that position, it is time to hone in and focus on your breathing. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Try to focus your mind only on your breath; whenever your concentration alters, and your mind begins to wander, that does not mean you are doing anything wrong, just that you have to refocus.
Beginning your month with a nice session of mindfulness meditation, whether it’s 10 minutes, or even an hour, can help you ground yourself and prepare for the weeks ahead. It can also help introduce you to a habit that, whether you are at the start, middle, or end of a month, can ground you, relax you, and heal you mentally and physically.
Mindful End to Your Month
At the end of the month, it is time to reflect on your experiences, and grow from them. Channel the emotions, feelings, and moments that have flown you by, and understand that you do not need to be weighed down by them, but to embrace and be emboldened by every challenge that has come your way. Now, let all of that go. Get into a sitting meditation stance, and once again practice mindfulness meditation.
Conclusion
If you enjoy starting and ending your month with mindfulness meditation, we recommend getting into meditation on a daily basis. This is a habit that you can truly embrace and benefit from. If you would like to learn more about mindfulness, wellness, nutrition, or just about anything else, feel free to check out our blog for more!
