Things I Need to Do More Often #10

on September 15, 2009
in Things I Need to Do More Often

Meditate.

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(I can thank Operation Beautiful for the fact that I’m not in the least bit embarrassed anymore to post photos of me sans make-up.)

 

I used to be really, really scared of "meditation."  It sounds complicated and voodoo magic-y.   But meditation really isn’t that hard at all, and the benefits are extraordinary.  I always feel calmer and more focused after meditating, and Lord knows we could all use some peace of mind!

 

My tips for mediating:

 

  • Turn the lights down or off.  If it helps, put on some relaxing music.
  • Sit in the traditional position (above) or lay flat on your back.  Close your eyes!
  • Breathing Meditation:  Focus on slowly breathing in and out.  Quiet your mind and pay attention to the rhythm of your breathing.  Feel the air going in and out of your lungs.
  • Favorite Place Meditation:  Visualize a safe or happy place.  My place is a field in Yellowstone National Park that my Dad and I visited when I was younger.  Imagine how it feels to be in the place, using your five senses.  Relax in your safe place.
  • Positive Thinking Meditation:  Begin with breathing mediation, but instead of quieting your mind, picture your day going perfectly.  Imagine accomplishing all your goals.  Use positive phrases like, "I will be able to do…" and "I will easily finish…"  I find Positive Thinking Meditation really gets my day off on the right start.
  • Remember that there is no "wrong" way to meditate.   Don’t be afraid to sit in silence!  If your mind wanders (which is normal), just bring it back to a quiet state.

 

Hippie music helps!

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Do you meditate?  What are your tips for meditation?

 

Check out the rest of the Things I Need To Do More Often series here.

{ 34 comments }

 

  • Anonymous September 15, 2009, 4:12 am

    MediTate?

  • Jocelyn September 15, 2009, 4:12 am

    great tips! Meditation and/or praying is a great way to start the day!

    The most make up I have worn in months is mascara…thats it! It's acually quite liberating.

    You are such a beautiful gal! You should go sans makeup more often 🙂

  • Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point September 15, 2009, 4:13 am

    anon – i can do it, but i cant spell it. 🙂

  • Shannon September 15, 2009, 4:40 am

    I need to make time for this. I always feel like I am doing it wrong, but as you said, there is no wrong way to meditate. Thanks fo rthe reminder!

  • Jess (Fit Chick in the City) September 15, 2009, 4:43 am

    This is also on my list of things I need to do more often. I manage to meditate for a measly few days a week and really should be doing it every day.

  • leslie September 15, 2009, 4:48 am

    love this – i need to do it more often as well. i love that every yoga class ends this way though – just a couple minutes to relax, breathe, and be blank is so calming.

  • Gab* September 15, 2009, 4:57 am

    I find it really hard to concentrate on one thing, my mind wonders! I think my attention span is too short!

  • Morgan (lifeafterbagels) September 15, 2009, 5:07 am

    Caitlin – I really really should do that too! It's always so hard though, I get anxious, and that is the opposite of how you should feel 🙁

  • Emily September 15, 2009, 5:20 am

    I try very hard to meditate (especially after yoga classes) but its pretty difficult to keep my mind from wandering. I think I definitely need to try more often! 🙂

  • Paige@ Running Around Normal September 15, 2009, 5:28 am

    Thanks for posting this:) What great tips.

  • recipesforcreativity September 15, 2009, 5:28 am

    So true. I fall in and out of the meditation loop. Time to fall back in.

  • Eliza September 15, 2009, 5:29 am

    A great website: http://www.uvm.edu/~chwb/counseling/mindfulness/

    somewhere in there they have guided meditations that you can download.
    Start with the 5 minute one- it feels wonderful, and when you start out it can be really helpful to have someone "guiding" you.

    during a guided meditation someone once suggested visualizing your brain our your mind as a clear, blue sky, horizon to horizon. That stuck with me, and now when I meditate and pesky worries pop into my brain i picture them as clouds that can just blow away in the wind.

  • Katie September 15, 2009, 5:44 am

    I loved your post! Meditation is something I have enjoyed. It really helps clear my mind and I feel so much more balanced after I do it. I wrote a blog post about a Meditation in Nature workshop I went to a couple of weekends ago…

    http://lifediscombobulated.blogspot.com/2009/09/mindfulness.html

  • Steph September 15, 2009, 6:12 am

    Great post Caitlin! Thanks for all the tips. I can definitely use some meditation in my life!

  • greensandjeans September 15, 2009, 6:35 am

    I meditate in bed before I go to sleep because it helps clear my mind. I lie on my back with my palms up and as I breathe I think about the breath moving through my feet and then I work my way up my body. Usually by the time I get to my knees I am out like a light!

  • Jolene - EverydayFoodie September 15, 2009, 6:48 am

    Thanks for the tips – I have never practiced meditation, but I would like to!

  • Cat Cat September 15, 2009, 6:53 am

    Breathe like a baby. Inhale through your nose your diaphragm should fill with air ( your belly should be moving outward not your chest) , exhale through your mouth like you are blowing out birthday candles.

    That's the best tip I can give for meditating. Have a peaceful day!

  • Samantha September 15, 2009, 6:56 am

    I haven't tried meditating in a while, just because I usually fall asleep! It is very relaxing, something I don't do enough…

  • Kristen @ Simply Savor September 15, 2009, 7:02 am

    my mom has been trying to get me into meditation–she loves it and i can totally tell she has a calmness about her afterwards. i'm starting to get more into it, but i find i have trouble being able to quiet my mind for that long–but i guess that's exactly what meditation is for! 🙂 i'm really enjoying the 'things i need to do more often' series so far!

  • Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) September 15, 2009, 7:13 am

    I need to wake up earlier more often. I love having a few hours to tool around the apartment before I go to work.

  • Kristin P. September 15, 2009, 7:24 am

    Meditation is sooo important. Sometimes I feel that if I can't sit for 20 or 30 mins I don't have time- but even 3 or 5 mins can be so helpful. I think the trick is to do it regularly, even if you only have time for a few minutes a day. Sometimes I even do it in my office if I have a slow day.
    "breathing in light energy, breathing out stress/anxiety/fear" is a good visualization that I use sometimes. I also imagine breathing in a light energy with each breath that eventually fills my whole body then expands outward- to the room, the building, the world etc until I am connected with everything.

  • shi September 15, 2009, 8:06 am

    I have a great CD of relaxing sounds and that immediately puts me in a happy place. 🙂

    The hardest part is making it a priority in the day to take a time out. But it's definitely something I need to do more often, too!

  • Frannie September 15, 2009, 8:16 am

    You look great in the morning without makeup!

  • Laura@FindingAHealthyBalance September 15, 2009, 8:28 am

    Thank you for the mediating tips, I really need to start doing that……if I can fit it in my schedule that is! =) Laura

    http://findingahealthybalance.wordpress.com/

  • Hi! I'm Erin September 15, 2009, 8:33 am

    I have the worst imagination ever, so trying to visualize something is typically impossible for me to do. However, during my last yoga class she had us try to visualize sitting on top of a grassy hill. I have actual memories of doing that, so I thought about that instead. Sadly, it was a hill in my hometown which I miss very much. I actually started crying! I don't think that's how meditation is supposed to work…

  • Marisa (Trim The Fat) September 15, 2009, 8:56 am

    It is my dream to learn to meditate! Seriously. I am having a hard time finding 5 minutes to "just be", so to be able to meditate sounds so fab!

    I.must.do.it!!!

    You're beautious without makeup!

  • Natalie September 15, 2009, 9:11 am

    love this series of posts and seriously, you are so beautiful sans makeup! i'm not just saying that!

  • Jenna September 15, 2009, 10:54 am

    i have never really meditated but it sure does look relaxing!
    jenna

  • Katy September 15, 2009, 11:52 am

    Have you ever done a food meditation? I took a meditation and relaxation class in my last semester at Clemson and our final was to teach a meditation. I did a food one. We used strawberries, chips and cupcakes.

  • Kat (Kat's Daily Plate) September 15, 2009, 12:01 pm

    I think walking meditations are the best sometimes. I get out of my head by focusing on the sense- the smell, touch, sound, sights of everything… my breathing, my footsteps. It is a wonderful way to meditate for those who dont like to sit for too long!

  • wholesomefoodie September 15, 2009, 12:44 pm

    I need to try meditating. I know it would help. Thanks for the inspiration.

  • Nabeela September 15, 2009, 1:12 pm

    I completely understand where you're coming from about wanting to justify a meal. I have some new readers too who look at one insufficient/bad meal I have and form judgement over it.
    We, as healthy food bloggers, are totally committed to healthful living and understand that not all days are perfect in terms of eating but try our best to maintain a healthy life most of the time and as in your case, we're eating enough but it doesn't look like it(for reasons ranging from did not take pictures of everything we ate to reasons like the pictures are decieving…and it's a whole lot of food than you think).

  • Kristin (Kristin's Nibbles) September 15, 2009, 3:03 pm

    I love meditating! NOTHING is better for calming the mind =)

    xo
    K

  • MoraPiggy September 15, 2009, 5:35 pm

    Thanks for this post. I've been interested in meditation for a while now, but didn't really know how to do it.

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