Meditation is an age-old practice. The goal of meditation is to understand your mind in order to reach a higher level of awareness and inner calm. Hence, the more we meditate, the more comfortable we get in understanding our minds. A lot of people are not sure how to meditate. But we’re here to help.

Regular meditation also has a lot of benefits. It can reduce stress in 10 days and even lead to a better mental and physical health. No matter why you want to begin meditation in the first place, be it for less stress, better sleep and focus, or improved relationships, it brings you closer to developing healthier habits for a happier mind.

So how do you really practice meditation?

One can follow these simple rules for regular meditation:

1. Choose a peaceful environment

If you are starting to try meditation, always remember that it should be practiced in a peaceful location. It is then that you would be able to focus on it completely and avoid external stimuli and distractions. Be at a place which is at least uninterrupted for the duration of your meditation. Also, make sure to turn off TV sets, phones, or other noisy electronics.

2. Wear comfortable clothes

If you are learning how to meditate, it is imperative to understand that the practice is to calm the mind and block out external distractions. That cannot be achieved if you are feeling uncomfortable due to tight or restrictive clothing. Hence, wear loose clothing during meditation practice and also remove your shoes.

3. Decide how long you want to meditate

Before you begin to meditate, figure out how long you are going to meditate. Some people do it for 20-minute sessions twice a day, if you are a beginner, you can start with 5 minutes once a day. Don’t just give up and keep trying after you start, until you get the desired results.

Also, read: Here’s how to do simple body scan meditation to live stress-free

4. Do some stretches before you start

Since meditation involves sitting in one spot for a long period of time, light stretching can help to make up your body and mind for meditation. It will also prevent you from losing focus during the meditation time. So stretch your neck, shoulders, and lower back for a good session.

5. Sit in a comfortable position

Make sure you are comfortable while you meditate. Traditionally, it is practiced by sitting on a cushion on the ground, either in a lotus position or half-lotus position. If you lack flexibility in your legs, hips, and lower back, this position might be uncomfortable. In that case, sit in a balanced, tall, and straight posture, with or without crossing your legs.

6. Close your eyes to focus

You can mediate both with the eyes open or closed. However, it is best to try meditating with closed eyes in order to avoid visual distractions. However, don’t feel sleepy as the goal of meditation is to feel relaxed, yet stay alert.

So, go meditate and calm your senses!