Whether you’re new to daily meditation or just out of practice, there are ways to help you get into “the zone”.
We may be a month on from New Year’s resolutions but now is actually a better time to initiate a new healthy habit that will last the year.
We’ve had time to ease back into the everyday and reassess things with fresh eyes, but without the usual mid-year pressures and stressors.
And when it comes to daily habits that pack the most punch, meditation comes out on top, providing greater mental calm, improved focus and increased levels of overall happiness.
Brisbane-based Vedic meditation teacher and corporate mindfulness coach Elise Catchlove agrees, saying that despite the stigma around making – and breaking New Year’s resolutions, this early period of the year is in fact “a wonderful opportunity to really discern what kind of life you want to create for yourself”.
Plus, she adds, “Once the habit has been established and you see the benefits, you’re more likely to stick with it.”
The benefits of meditation are manifold, and Catchlove says it can ultimately lead you to feeling “calmer, less reactive, and better able to cope with the demands of modern-day living”.
Plus, it helps to make you less prone to fatigue and increases your productivity because, as she points out, “It’s hard to be productive when you’re exhausted!”
Melbourne-based mindset coach Emily Chadbourne has felt the benefits of meditation firsthand but also knows how hard it can be, especially at the start.
“Meditation didn’t come easy to me but I persevered, and now I can’t imagine my life without it,” she admits. “Meditation grounds me, calms me and helps me bring perspective to situations that would otherwise overwhelm me.”
If you’re keen to be more mindful in 2022, there are now a plethora of props, aids and high-tech gadgets that will help you to not only start a regular meditation practice but to also make it a non-negotiable part of your everyday.
How the experts get the zone
Vedic meditation teacher Elise Catchlove shares the meditation aids that she turns to for her moments of Zen.
1. A comfortable chair: I’m not a big proponent of meditating cross-legged on the floor with no back support. You’re more likely to sink deeply into meditation if your back isn’t aching.
2. Open windows: There’s nothing like fresh air to induce a feeling of calm.
3. A silk eye mask: It’s worth investing in a silk one. My favourite is from Slip (slip.com.au).
4. A sand timer: So you’re not reliant on your phone as a timer; the more time away from your device the better.
Mindfulness doesn’t have to cost a thing
Mindset coach Emily Chadbourne shares the cost-free habits that will make meditation part of everyday life.
1. Just breathe: Inhale deeply through the nose for a count of four and exhale through the nose for a count of six. This focuses your mind and relaxes your body.
2. Visualise the ocean: I love to connect my breath to a visual of the tide in my mind. As I inhale, I imagine the water coming in; as I exhale, it recedes. The ocean reminds me that I don’t control the waves so all I can do is go with the flow and surf the best I can.
3. Open your eyes: I love moving meditations such as walking outside without music or going on a solo bike ride. Whatever repetitive movement helps energy flow through your body can be very meditative.
Top 3 meditation apps
The Body+Soul team have tried them all, but these are the apps we keep coming back to:
- Headspace, $19.99 per month, headspace.com
- Chopra, free with in-app purchases, chopra.com/app
- Calm, from $79.99 per year, calm.com
Apple AirPods Pro, $399, thegood guys.com.au
These small but mighty noise-cancelling buds help to silence outer sounds so you can find inner peace.
Ecoya Wick Trimmer, $19.95, myer.com.au
If you care about your candles, you need to tend to those wicks.
Slip Contour Sleep Mask, $60, slip.com.au
Block out the light without ruining that lash lift.
True Home Eco Earth Retreat Candle, $29.95, myer.com.au
Enjoy this herbaceous scent with cinnamon, clove and lime during your daily practice.
In Essence Meditate Pure Essential Oil Blend, $29.95, inessence.com.au
This blend of sandalwood, pine and orange will help you relax and find focus.
I Am Curious Mala Beads, about $220, malacollective.com
Use these meditation beads to count your mantras or to just keep you focused.
Aēsop Anouk Oil Burner Blend, $39, theiconic.com.au
A few drops of this stress-busting citrus blend in your oil burner will help to create calm.
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, $599.95, bose.com.au
Premium voice pick-up and noise-cancelling tech will ensure all you hear is your guided meditation audio.
The Ritual The Creator Ritual Kit, $165, net-a-porter.com
Featuring an oil, candle, bath tea and more, this curated set is designed to use with the included meditation.
Dodow Sleep Light, $79, mydodow.com
Synchronise your breath to this touch-sensitive light to get in the zone faster.
Ettitude Sateen & Lavender Eye Pillow, $44, ettitude.com.au
Filled with organic lavender and wheat, this cooling pillow will help to melt away any stress.
Muse 2 Headband, $384.99, muse.com
This device tracks brain activity, heart rate and breathing to help you meditate at your best.
In Essence 360 Diffuser, $199.95, inessence.com.au
Set the mood with essential oils diffused from this smart and stylish device.
Calming Blankets Bamboo Weighted Blanket, $299, calmingblankets.com.au
This is light enough to keep you cool and heavy enough to help keep you calm.
Scent Australia Home Santal 66 Reed Diffuser, $80, theiconic.com.au
With sandalwood, cedar, papyrus, leather, amber, and violet flowers, this smells like serenity.
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