Along with a healthy diet and exercise, meditation has become one of the most powerful wellness trends.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the number of people who meditate has tripled between 2012 and 2017.
It is the go-to solution to achieve overall wellbeing among many stressed-out individuals.
Before exploring how to be happy practicing meditation lets start with some definitions.
What is Meditation?
Meditation is a general term to describe a practice to enhance mental clarity, relaxation, and focus.
There are different types of meditation that focus the mind purposefully on:
- Breathing
- Movement and deep breathing
- Repeating a mantra or phrase
- Focusing on an image
Why Meditation Works?
Meditation produces permanent changes in different brain regions and creates a heightened sense of awareness.
It involves focused breathing and brings our mind’s attention to the present without drifting into concerns about the past or future.
Moreover, studies on meditation show the benefits of keeping a mentally clear and emotional stable state. Even simple breathing techniques help to reduce anxiety and depression.
If we apply meditation we have a calmer reaction to stress and are able to better control our emotions.
Practicing meditation, for 20-minutes per session will change our body response to life stressors. It will also help with weight control, fatigue, and sleep disorders.
Now let’s explore how practicing meditation will improve our happiness.
How to be Happy Practicing Meditation
A calm mind that is not swept away by busyness, stress, or emotions is better able to focus on what really matters. Meditation will increase our feelings of happiness by creating mental clarity and emotional calmness.
Seasoned meditators are more resilient, better able to focus and even have the ability to stay on task despite surrounding distractions.
Moreover, studies show that a higher frequency of meditation is related to higher levels of happiness.
Our body muscles grow bigger and stronger after exercising for an extended period of time. Likewise, our brain gets stronger to make better decisions and handle stress in a calmer way.
When first starting our meditation practice, our mind will tend to wander off. Our usual thoughts will creep into our mind. After some practice we learn how to bring it back to the presence and strengthening the circuitry for focus and attention.
As a result, corporate companies such as Apple, Google, Yahoo, and Nike among many others, encourage meditation to boost positive emotions such as feelings of worth and caring.
Meditation changes our brain structure. Studies found that long-term meditators have structural differences in both gray and white matter. Regular meditation can boost grey matter inducing general feelings of contentment and bliss.
How to Meditate?
Some forms of meditation promote relaxation, relieve mood disorders or the effects of trauma, or improve cognitive health.
Whether your goal is to relax, induce sleep, focus better, develop more calmness, or improve overall health, choose a meditation technique that suits your needs.
There is no one-size-fits-all meditation technique, but you can apply the following tips for learners;
1. Allocate at least 10 minutes, to begin with
2. Have a clear motivation – to relieve stress, to feel happier, calmer, focused, etc
3. Wear comfortable and relaxed clothing
4. Start by sitting with your legs crossed and back straight or lying down comfortably
5. Close your eyes, clear your mind, and begin with 5-minutes of meditation
6. Listen to your body after meditation
7. Meditation requires commitment, patience, and practice. Make it a daily habit.
Where to do Meditation?
Any quiet place where you could focus on your breathing without worrying about anything else is a good place to meditate. You can be happy and practice meditation almost anywhere:
- Your yard where there’s more oxygen and a relaxing breeze
- Your bedroom for a quiet session
- In your car
- Meditation retreats
- The swimming pool area
- At the beach
What is your experience with meditation?
I have to admit, I am a pretty happy person and I don’t meditate. I just focus on all the positive aspects of my life – of which there are many – and that always puts a nice smile on my face 🙂
I used to mediate a lot but sadly i stopped. Meditation is amazing and helps a lot. I need to practice again.
I meditate daily, it keeps me focused, calm and grateful 🙂
I meditate practising Kriya Yoga technique as prescribed by my Guru preceptor Paramhansa Yogananda, it has helped me a lot to face with equanimity all the trials and tribulations of life without getting ruffled. I feel happiness ,peace and harmony.
Ohhh that sounds so relaxing! Just what I need at the moment…
I don’t meditate but I do have friends who do and after reading this, I can understand better the benefits of meditating. Thanks for sharing!
I’ve never really meditated before because whenever I am anxious about something, I just don’t panic and just have faith that everything will be alright. I always look at things positively. I can see the importance of meditation for everyone
I really like to meditate. I usually listen to a meditation when I’m going to sleep. I also do a 5 minute meditation to get my day going.
I have told myself to pick up meditation when I started learning yoga many years ago but it seems my mind is always running here and there, just like a monkey. With this post, I needed to be focus and do it again.
I am so loving this blog. I’ve always wanted to try meditation.
I do believe in the power of meditation! A still mind can do wonders!
I am a firm believer that meditation works! I don’t do it regularly, but whenever I feel stressed, it does wonders!
I need to do more meditation as I do more exercise now and try to ensure I eat a lot more healthily as well. Your post has just reminded me I have to start my meditation routine again.
I’ve been thinking about starting meditation again, it’s so great to focus and center yourself. Thanks for motivating me to start again!
Thanks for sharing so much more about meditation, which is an absolute essential in today’s busy lives and combating stress.
I haven’t tried to meditate before. But I’d love to try it sounds relaxing and good for the body and soul.
I like to meditate before I go to sleep. It helps me have a better sleep x
Meditation is such an important practice. I wish schools had a compulsory class on yoga Ave meditation.
Couldn’t be more right! It’s how peaceful you feel when you focus on just being, and nothing else is clouding your head.
I have never tried meditation, but I do find a quiet walk in nature helpful, so would probbaly benefit from it
Clearing your mind is the most important part. My sister meditates daily and swears by it.
I try to meditate but i am so easily distracted or I keep forgetting to do it. I really wanna try to meditate more to see the results it will have on me. Let me try some of your tips and see how it works out.
what an inspiring article you have here, everyone should get a read of this. thank you!!
I do meditation but not everyday and I find it effective specially on the mental aspect. It helps me whenever I need to make important decisions in business. Thank you very much for sharing this tip!
Meditation is something that I can benefit from for sure. Thank you for this informative post. I have bookmarked it so that I can come back and read some more.
I didn’t think of adding an image to the moments of meditation. Maybe that’s why I tended to fall asleep as I tried to clear my mind of everything. I will have to add an image next time.
I don’t know meditate as much as I should but, I do try to go to the beach as much as I can as a my way of relaxing
Definitely need to practice meditation more often! What a great, inspiring post!
Great post. I’ve always meaning to start meditation, but never got down to it. Should do soon.