Contents
How to start meditating without being overwhelmed
Mindfulness
To be interested in this practice, you don’t have to get lost in an exotic place. You can do it at any time
El mindfulness, mindfulness or mindfulness, is a practice that is based on becoming aware of the facets of our vital experience in the present moment. Thus, it invites us to work on the ability to be focused on a certain activity without other thoughts assaulting us, providing the mind with more tranquility and a greater capacity to enjoy life. Experts assure that the practice of 10 minutes of mindfulness a day improves concentration, increases self-awareness, develops emotional intelligence and alleviates symptoms of depression and anxiety. “It is a powerful weapon that you carry within you, but which is contaminated or distorted daily by a multitude of thoughts,” explains Belén Colomina, psychologist, mindfulness instructor and consultant for the Petit Bambou meditation app. Precisely one of the tools to turn mindfulness into a philosophy of life is meditation, an intellectual activity that seeks to achieve personalized attention (in breathing, in a feeling, in a thought …) to free the mind from harmful thoughts.
Live in the present moment
To get started in meditation, the expert proposes turning these thoughts, feelings and sensations into soap bubbles: “We can perceive them, observe them one by one and let them dissolve without holding on to them.” Thus, the expert assures that although you cannot choose what happens in your life, you can choose what you do with what happens to you. “The waves of the sea are always going to be there, but you can learn to surf them,” he argues.
Another aspect that must be taken care of is the posture of the body: «We must keep our back straight, but not rigid. If we meditate on a chair we can rest our hands on our thighs. If we lie down, we will do it on our back and with the palms of the hands facing up. Another option can be to place ourselves in the lotus flower position, also with the palms of the hands facing up. In all of them we will pay attention to the back to allow the breath to flow correctly, “advises the mindfulness instructor.
In addition to stance, the Petit Bambou advisor reveals that it is important to be aware of the time we dedicate to this activity. “It should be something we enjoy and not overwhelm us. If we set a time goal that is too demanding at first, it will not be rewarding. It is better to start with a few minutes and then gradually extend the time “, says Colomina.
Each cHow much time should I dedicate each week to meditationn? The ideal would be to practice a session daily and preferably in the morning, although the mindfulness instructor explains that the choice of the time of day depends on each person, since it is essential to choose the circumstances in which the meditation practice is pleasant and enjoy. Regarding the benefits of meditation, he states that consistency and quality of time matters more than quantity: “Meditating is like going to the gym, results are achieved with practice and when it becomes a habit,” he says.