What is meditation?

Meditation is the act of sitting with yourself and emptying your thoughts. Originally championed by Buddhism, meditation is now popular with the western world. In America, it's common to use an app like Calm or Headspace to begin learning meditation.

How do I start with meditation?

It's typically easier to start with an experience called guided meditation. This is when a narrator, can be live or recorded, walks you through steps of meditation. It can look like this:

• Sit comfortably, however your body wants to

• Start with a deep breath, feeling your stomach expand as you inhale

• As you exhale, relax your shoulders and neck

• Feel the air move through your body from your head to your toes

The guide helps you observe your own thoughts and body. Guided meditation can be as short as 2 mins and as long as an hour. For beginners, morning meditation may be easier because people tend to be calmer in the morning.

I tried guided meditation but I can't build the habit

If you already tried small amounts of meditation, but you are still struggling, don't worry! Meditation is hard. It's the opposite of how we live the rest of our lives. While meditation is a great way to feel more focused, creative, and calm, it is not a requirement.

One reason people can struggle with meditation is because they are experiencing internal feelings they don't understand. If you're observing something within yourself that you have never noticed, it is difficult to sit with it. Talking out your meditation experience can help unblock you.

It's also possible that meditation is not your cup of tea, but you'd love to get some of the benefits from meditation.

Alternatives to meditation

• Walks, especially in the morning and outdoors

• Low-intensity yoga

• Setting your daily intention through Brainstory

Brainstory's daily intent feature is a great way to spend 5 minutes in the morning to feel great for the rest of your day. You can do it on your commute, while making coffee, or even on that morning walk. It's easier than meditation and gives you a lot of the same benefits!