Have you ever thought about beginning a meditation practice?
Perhaps you have tried meditating before, and it felt more overwhelming than grounding as you sat down and thoughts ran rampant through your mind the whole time. Maybe you have felt too intimidated and short on time to begin. Or perhaps you once had a consistent practice and are looking to start again.
Wherever you are at with cultivating a meditation practice, these tips can help you find one that works for you.
A Practice That Works for You
Just like finding a therapy that works for you, it is essential to find a meditation practice that does, too.
For starters, there is not a right or a wrong way to meditate. Meditation is not just about sitting cross-legged on the floor with your eyes closed. This may work for some, but it does not feel suitable for everyone.
In addition to sitting down, you can also meditate while laying down, walking, using guided meditations, setting a timer, or even with your eyes open as you gently stare into space.
Finding a way to meditate that gives you comfort is vital for creating a consistent meditation practice. Just like with exercise, if you have a way of moving your body or meditating that pleases you, it is more likely to become something you frequently do as you will feel more motivated to want to practice.
Shifting the Expectation
You may have a goal in mind to end meditation feeling calmer than when you began or not to have any thoughts pop up as you are meditating. However, expectations such as these are often precursors to disappointment.
What if your goal of meditation was not to experience it in a certain way but as an act of practicing presence? The point of mediation is to practice being in the moment with nonjudgmental awareness for everything you are experiencing. With this in mind, there is no right or wrong experience to have.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Building a consistent meditation routine is like building muscle. It takes time to cultivate it to become second nature and trust yourself in following through. Even when part of you is resistant, choosing to meditate is about showing up and practicing even when you do not feel like it.
Along with other self-care methods, creating a mediation practice can be an essential piece of your healing journey. At Avalon Malibu, we believe that finding holistic ways to support yourself while in treatment is integral to long-lasting healing and recovery. Through all of our treatment options, we can help you find meditation and wellness practices that work for you and support you in your recovery journey. If you or a loved one are struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder, call Avalon Malibu today at (844) 857-5992 to find out how we can help.
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