If you’re not already a meditator, you’ve likely met at least one person who recommend you give it a try. Even though it can seem a bit silly or unnatural at first, the more you do it, the more you’ll want to make it a part of your daily routine. And the more you’ll turn to it in moments of distress. Trust us, there’ve been moments where we’ve simply sat on the kitchen floor to meditate and regain our composure before venturing back out into wild world of parenting.
(Side note: If you’re a newbie, we highly recommend the 10 Percent app – we’ve heard that seasoned pros like it as well. It helped us feel less like an imposter and give us the confidence to know that we weren’t doing it wrong, even when we thought we were.)
Meditation gurus will tell you that the best way to meditate is to dedicate a room or nook just for this activity. And while that sounds lovely, it’s not always practical. If you’re just getting started or don’t have room or a dedicated space to honor your practice, that’s okay – we see you. So we asked Majestic Hudson’s Jen Llewellyn for her quick tips on how to enhance our meditation practice.
Find a quiet place
Ideally, this is a place where you feel comfortable and relaxed. This is often the bedroom or living room, but, in our opinion, if the only place you’re guaranteed peace is the bathroom, then go there. Silence is important – it helps us be with ourselves. It gives us the opportunity to engage in self-reflection and become aware of what matters most. It also allows us to practice mindfulness, a great skill to use throughout the day.
Hold a crystal in your hand
Crystals are always our friends, and there are different crystals for different purposes. Some help increase your vibration, some can remove negativity and some can enhance your focus during meditation. Select the crystal you need before each practice.
Burn some incense
Burning incense helps you define your practice. Sometimes, the smoke itself helps you find a sense of calm and peace. When it comes to the fragrance, the standard advice is to burn something light for a short practice or to cleanse the home. But for larger rooms and spaces, you should use something more sacred and deeper, like Sandalwood. However, at the end of the day, burn what you like. It’s your practice, so you do you.
Start your meditation with a ritual sound
Chiming bells or playing a singing bowl (or both!) is a great way to announce the beginning of your meditation and clear the energy in your space. But remember, a singing bowl is a musical instrument, so if you go this route, you will need to learn how to play it. Also, if you need to meditate on the go (or the kids hid your bells), there are apps available, but traditional instruments are always preferred when possible.
Get a comfortable cushion
For most people, a hard floor isn’t as relaxing as a soft cushion. But grounding yourself and connecting to the earth is an important part of meditation. A small, soft cushion can do the trick. Find a size that works for you in a color that you enjoy.
Gia Miller is an award-winning journalist and the editor-in-chief/co-publisher of Connect to Northern Westchester. She has a magazine journalism degree (yes, that's a real thing) from the University of Georgia and has written for countless national publications, ranging from SELF to The Washington Post. Gia desperately wishes schools still taught grammar. Also, she wants everyone to know they can delete the word "that" from about 90% of their sentences, and there's no such thing as "first annual." When she's not running her media empire, Gia enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, laughing at her crazy dog and listening to a good podcast. She thanks multiple alarms, fermented grapes and her amazing husband for helping her get through each day. Her love languages are food and humor.
