Meditation is a practice I am sure you’ve heard of – who hasn’t? But to begin to practice meditation in an achievable way may seem like a whole different story. Starting the journey can seem overwhelming, time-consuming, and (as many of my clients would say) just a little bit too ‘woo-woo’ or ‘spiritual.’ I can understand these hesitations entirely! However, as a women’s empowerment coach who has worked with hundreds of women on their mindset, one constant is always there.
Meditation gets results for every client, every time.
Together, let’s debunk the main myths surrounding meditation you’ve heard of, get real about the benefits, to help give you that little push to start meditating.
Here are the most common misconceptions I have heard time and time again from clients:
‘It should feel like a monk levitating on the top of a mountain’
Contrary to popular belief, the first few times meditating can feel, well, kind of like nothing. You may find yourself getting distracted by your to-do list for the day or wondering what it’s ‘meant’ to feel like. Don’t worry; we’ve all been there! There is the mistaken belief that every meditation should feel like floating on a cloud, where you experience zero thoughts and are in a state of total and utter bliss.
Well, as someone who has practiced for several years, I WISH I felt that every time! In reality, this just isn’t achievable each and every time you meditate. You will have thoughts run through your mind, you will sometimes get distracted, and occasionally you may even fall asleep! Rather than giving up after a few days of ‘trying’ and not’ succeeding’, it is essential to understand that there is no ‘perfect’ way to meditate. In the beginning, the fact that you are TRYING will bring significant benefits to your body and mind.
Who knows, maybe even one day you’ll get to experience that ‘blissful’ feeling; but if after a week, a month or a year the bliss still only lasts 10 seconds to a minute, don’t worry. You aren’t alone and are actually doing more good than you think!
‘I can only meditate if I have ‘spiritual’ beliefs’
Meditation was derived from spiritual practices thousands of years ago, with some of the first documented signs of meditation dating back to India as early as 1500 BCE. However, just because it has religious and spiritual origins, does not mean that practice can’t be beneficial to those a little more disconnected from these specific ideals. I have personally seen all sorts of clients, from all walks of life and with many different value structures, who begin meditation and achieve incredible results.
‘There are certain rituals or rules you must follow while meditating‘
If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard this misconception – I’d be a very rich woman! I’ve worked with many clients who dislike listening to guided meditations and would prefer to focus on only their breath for 5 minutes. Then, there are some clients who religiously practice Vedic meditation, which follows a set structure. These two may be on opposite ends of the spectrum, but I don’t mind. Whatever works, works! Taking the time to focus on something other than your inner dialogue of overthinking will help to calm your nervous system and mind.
‘It takes years to gain any psychological or physical benefit’
Um no. Not true at all! It does not take YEARS. It can take a matter of seconds to feel the benefits. I teach a meditation/breathing technique with my clients that only takes one minute to help them calm their nervous system and allow them to relax. All they need to do is set a timer on their phone and practice their meditation. It’s so easy to use that they tend to use it at work, at school, or even in the bathroom at a social event. The effects can take place and help you immediately; they do not need to take years.
The benefits
So with the myths covered, it’s about time I remind you why you should start. These are the real benefits of implementing meditation practice in your life:
- Helps to improve and manage stress
- Helps to alleviate and manage anxiety
- Enhances self-awareness
- Lengthens attention span and concentration
- Helps to improve your quality of sleep
Meditation has been proven by studies and medical professionals all over the world to aid in helping those suffering from stress, anxiety, sleep issues, anxiety, and depression.
Some studies have even found evidence of meditation practice causing restructuring within the brain! Researcher Gaelle Desbordes of Harvard University found that practicing meditation – after being implemented over two months – changed the activation and response of the amygdala. This is the part of the brain linked to perceiving emotions and memory, proving that not only does meditation make us feel better but can have a long-lasting, physiological effect on us too!
Ready to meditate with us?
Meditation gives you a chance to disconnect from the world and relax. It is definitely a task that should be considered implementing in a world where many feel overwhelmed and overworked. Over time and implementation, it will become a positive part of your daily routine. If you’ve been sceptical about meditating, use this as your chance to start simply by spending 30 seconds on focussing on your breath, where it moves to and how it makes you feel! It may be a bumpy road at first until you find what works well for you, but trust me – You won’t regret it!
Read more about meditation with ‘Meditation for Type-A’s’ here and Lorna’s Meditation Guide here xx 💫
Laura Grady helps young men and women all over Australia achieve their goals/dreams and putting them on the path to self-love, empowerment and fulfillment.
Her personal journey with self-love was a difficult and painful process. The changes she made in her life led to her coaching career. Where she uses Neuro- Linguistic Programming, Time Line Therapy® techniques and Hypnosis to give them the highest of results and to fast track them onto the path of success. Follow her here x
Take a moment to meditate x