Meditation is a practice where an individual uses a technique – such as mindfulness, or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state. Daily meditation is scientifically proven to be helpful for anxiety and improving sleep.

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There are nine popular types of meditation practice:

• Mindfulness meditation

• Spiritual meditation

• Focused meditation

• Movement meditation

• Mantra meditation

• Transcendental meditation

• Progressive relaxation

• Loving-kindness meditation

• Visualisation meditation

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Benefits of meditation:

• Gaining a new perspective on stressful situations.

• Building skills to manage your stress.

• Increasing self-awareness.

• Focusing on the present.

• Reducing negative emotions.

• Increasing imagination and creativity.

• Increasing patience and tolerance.

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How do I meditate?

1. Get comfortable and prepare to sit still for a few minutes.

2. Simply put your focus on your own natural inhaling and exhaling of breath.

3. Focus on your breath. Where do you feel your breath most? In your belly? In your nose? Try to keep your attention on your inhale and exhale.

4. Follow your breath for (2-6) minutes. Take a deep inhale, expanding your belly, and then exhale slowly, elongating the out-breath as your belly contracts.

 

Meditation Apps:

(Can be found on iTunes / Google play)

• Oak

• Insight timer

• Waking Up

• Headspace

• Calm

Self compassion meditation links =

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-z4HqdTQFw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UW-x4Hixa0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAuBXTTaXVU

 

Loving Kindness meditation links =

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCt6AYI3kHU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2EOqFBCmy8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx7p_nHodxY

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