4 Ways To Make Meditation Easier

Meditation can so often be seen as this austere practice. Only the really committed (and otherworldly people) practice it regularly. Except that stereotype is far from the truth. Meditation is an easy, simple, and really accessible way to bring self-care and a sprinkling of headspace re-organisation into your life, and it can be done in less than 5 minutes a day.

So how do we approach this practice to make it easier, more attractive, and more comfortable? Here are my four favourite ways:

1. Prepare

The physical asana practice of yoga was originally used as a tool to support deep meditation, and we can use it today in the same way. This doesn’t have to look like a big, hour-long vinyasa class, but maybe just a 5- or 10-minute movement practice before your meditation session will allow stuck energy to move a little more freely. This sort of movement will also help your body settle easier and quicker into your meditative quite place. It’s a great hack for an easier practice.

2. Get comfortable

There’s this idea that we have to sit in lotus pose for long periods of time if we want to call ourselves a meditator. And it’s not true (thankfully). Remember: your meditation practice is a mind thing, not a body thing. So scrap any idea of what you think the ‘perfect meditation pose’ should look like, and get as comfortable as possible. I use a meditation cushion (like these from Zen Bear – members, check your perks page for a discount), and sometimes I’ll meditate from my bed with pillows propping me up. You could even come into savasana, or have your legs stretched out from a seated pose, rather than folded in. It doesn’t matter. Experiment with poses and find what works best for you.

3. Start small

Like I mentioned above, meditation doesn’t have to be a big, imposing thing. For me, 10 minutes is an ideal length of time—not too long, not too short. Maybe you need a shorter meditation, maybe something longer. But if you’re brand new to this practice, I’d recommend starting with a 5-minute sit. It’s still hugely beneficial and, practiced regularly, will start to really impact your days. If you’re a TYR member, start your practice with The 30-Day Meditation Challenge, or simply choose today’s meditation from the daily sessions on the dashboard.

4. Give yourself a break

Meditation can be different every single time you practice, and not just down to different guided meditations or styles. One day you’ll find it a breeze, sitting for longer periods, finding more stillness, deepening your concentration. Other days it’ll be a challenge and your mind will constantly wander, making you wonder if it’s even worth bothering with. And the answer is always yes. Whether your mind wanders or you find perfect stillness, the meditation still works in exactly the same way. Just keep going, commit to your practice, and you’ll start to see profound results every day.