Headspace
Meditation seems to be all the rage these days, for very good reason! However, it is a learned skill; one I struggle to develop. I would say my previous attempts at meditation have been nothing short of unsuccessful. I barely make it through the little we do in the beginning of yoga class. I also can't tell if I'm actually doing it right.
At this point, I'd be satisfied with learning how to successfully meditate for 10-minutes. So, I'm turning to technology for help.
A few weeks ago my husband and I learned about Headspace while watching a Ted Talk by Andy Puddicombe (WATCH THIS)! Then, of all places, we saw him appear on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, where he did a live meditation session.
Headspace is an app you can download to teach you how to meditate. Is it free? No. It's a paid subscription but it does offer a free 10-day trial that I began five days ago. Users can choose 3, 5, or 10- minute sessions during the trial. I started with one 3-minute guided meditation session per day for ten days, baby steps people.
So far, the app has been extremely helpful! It is easy to use, very informative and does a nice job explaining how to actually meditate. It's a bonus that I find the host's voice extremely soothing, and even a little sexy, but back on track. Let's let that thought pass.
When I first opened the app it seemed a little overwhelming. There is a lot of content in a small space. I haven't explored all of the features just yet, as I am focused on the beginners pack, known as the foundation pack, which includes meditation basics 1, 2 and 3. As you progress, there are plenty of packs to choose from. The app offers meditation packs for health, happiness, work and performance, students, anxiety, single meditations for a quick fix, and even packs for kids. My approach to the app is, the more I learn the more I'll explore.
I will say this, coming from someone who has never meditated before, I am shocked at how just 3-minutes of meditation can have such a positive impact on my mental state. I am ashamed to admit that at first, sparing three measly minutes to sit in silence seemed like a stretch. Starting tomorrow, I plan to up my session to 5-minutes. Hopefully, by day ten, I will be meditating for 10-minutes per day and ready to take advantage of the additional packs included in the app.
My dog, Higgins, trying to distract me.
Benefits of Meditation
- Meditation reduces stress.
- It improves concentration.
- It encourages a healthy lifestyle.
- The practice increases self-awareness.
- It increases happiness.
- Meditation increases acceptance.
- It slows aging.
- The practice benefits cardiovascular and immune health.