Meditation does not have to be complicated. Time and time again I see people saying they can't mediate because they "don't know how to". Well I'm here to tell you that it can be as simple as you sitting quietly in a room for 5 minutes with your thoughts. Going for a walk in the woods. Sitting outside in the sunshine. Looking at the ocean. All of this can be a form of meditation. While some people are able to go into some sort of trance, many people cannot. It does take some practice. However, just by sitting still for a few minutes a day can train your brain to activate the brain waves called theta and alpha waves. 

Meditation is one of the world's oldest form of religious and spiritual traditions. Meditation can be traced back to 3000 BCE by the Indus Valley Civilization. It has made its appearance in Hinduism, Buddhism, Daoism, Christianity, and Islam.  It has been suited to fit the needs of many cultures, and they all have one goal in mind: cultivating inner peace, awareness, and spiritual connection to a higher power. 

So sit with me and take a deep breath. Breathe in for 6 seconds and hold it for 4. Then breathe out for 8 seconds. Do this a few times. How do we feel? Next I want you to just keep breathing deeply until you feel your body start to relax. Feel your shoulders ease up. Unclench your jaw. Are we feeling good yet? Sit here in silence for about 5 minutes. It is okay if you do not start to "go anywhere". You are still relaxing your body. Do this every day for a week. I guarantee you that by the end of the week you will be looking forward to this practice. You can do this anywhere. It is said that being by water for just 20 minutes a day can help boost your mood. If you do not live near the water, try the woods. I bet you will feel more at peace than you have in a long time. 

Self Care

Meditation is a form of self care, in my humble opinion. Like I said, it is not only important to take care of your physical body,  you need to take care of your spiritual body as well. Meditation is a way to do that. It can assist in releasing pent up energies that are no longer serving you. It is also a de-stressor. If you are a highly sensitive person like me, you know how important it is to have tour alone time and just be. Sitting in silence by yourself after a long hard day at work is essential for highly sensitive people. When we do not get to self regulate, we become overwhelmed and it can manifest in anger, outlash, and other symptoms such as anxiety and depression. Going on daily walks can also be a form of meditation. Focusing on one thing and not letting your mind wander about your responsibilities can help you regulate your nervous system.