Meditation is wonderful and brings many proven benefits, such as a reduction in anxiety, stress and tension. It also improves inner balance, mood and promotes better sleep and focus. Preparing for meditation can support you by enabling you to gain the most from your meditation practice.
Preparing yourself for meditation
Choose a good time for meditation, not when you are too tired or too busy, otherwise your mind may not be able to focus enough to reach a meditative state.
Also make sure you are not likely to be disturbed. For example, don’t choose a time to meditate when you are expecting a delivery or if you have small children in the house who are likely to interrupt you.
It is best to wear loose clothing, as this will support you in having better focus and won’t restrict your breathing.
Preparing your environment
A quiet space
First and foremost, find a quiet space where you will be able to relax, focus and reach a meditative state. If you have a spare room in your house, you may choose to create a dedicated meditation space, where you know you won’t be disturbed.
Meditation music
It’s great to play gentle background music, as this can help you to unwind and create a relaxing environment. You may wish to turn the music off just before you start your meditation practice, or if you are using it as a meditation aid and you know it won’t disturb you, you can leave the music playing softly in the background.
Lighting
Having a low light, candle light or drawing the curtains, can make you feel safe, secure and relaxed within your environment and support you to trust in the space you are creating for meditation.
Fragrance
Lighting an incense stick or a scented candle, can add to the ambience of your meditation space. Using essential oils in an aromatherapy diffuser, can have added benefits in supporting the healing that will take place.
Tidy space
Ensure that you choose your meditation space away from clutter, which could distract you, not enable you to relax and focus fully and may interrupt the natural flow of the energy within the room.
Turn off electronics
It may seem obvious to ensure you turn off electronic devices, such as your mobile phone. But if you forget to do so, your phone pinging with an incoming message or notification might not be very welcome once you have reached the meditative state!
Preparing for meditation
Once you have made the necessary preparations for yourself and your environment, the final step is to prepare for your meditative state. Follow these simple steps to support you to reach your meditative state:
- Ensure you are comfortable, so you can have the focus you need and you feel fully relaxed. You may choose to sit or lay down for the meditation. Check the temperature of your meditation space, ensuring it’s not too warm or too cold. Remember, as you sit or lay still, you may feel colder than usual. Have a blanket to hand should you need to keep yourself warm.
- Make sure you are hydrated and consider having a glass of fresh filtered or bottled water beside you. Don’t meditate when you are hungry, or after a heavy meal.
- Quieten your mind. Release anything you have on your mind and slow your thoughts. Do this by accepting and acknowledging any thoughts that enter your mind, then allow them to pass without any judgement.
- Focus on your breathing. Take slow deep breaths for a few minutes, focusing on the in-breath through your nose and then the out-breath through your mouth. Focusing on your breathing can also help to reduce thoughts from entering your mind.
You should now be comfortable and focused enough to reach a meditative state. Preparing properly and not rushing or squeezing in a few minutes to meditate while you’re busy doing something else, will mean you get the maximum amount of benefits that meditation can bring.
How do you prepare for meditation? Do you have any tips that I haven’t mentioned here? I’d love to hear about your meditation preparation, please leave me a message below!
