What is Meditation?
Meditation is like exercise for your brain, helping you manage thoughts and emotions better. For students, it’s great for handling exam stress, improving concentration during study sessions, and enhancing overall mental well-being.
Steps to Practice Meditation
- Find a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed.
- Sit comfortably, either on a chair with feet flat or cross-legged on a cushion.
- Close your eyes to minimize distractions.
- Take a few deep breaths: inhale through your nose, hold, and exhale through your mouth, repeating a few times to relax.
- Choose a simple word or phrase that feels meaningful, like 'peace,' 'focus,' or 'relax.' This is your mantra, an anchor for your mind.
- Start repeating your mantra mentally, not out loud, letting it flow naturally.
- If your mind wanders, which is normal, gently bring it back to the mantra.
- Practice for 5 to 20 minutes. You can set a timer, but try not to check it during the session.
- When done, sit quietly for a moment with eyes closed, then open them and continue your day.
Tips for Practice
- Try to practice at the same time each day, like start of the day or after school.
- Start with 5 minutes and build up to 20 minutes as you get comfortable.
- Don’t get frustrated if your mind wanders; just gently return to the mantra.
- Experiment with different mantras to find what works for you.
- Remember, it’s not about clearing your mind completely; it’s about focusing and letting go.
- Use the practice to manage stress or to take study breaks, especially during busy exam periods.