The first time I tried meditating was almost laughable.
I set aside my electronics, sat up straight in my chair, closed my eyes and took a deep breath…and immediately got two text messages. I ignored them and took another deep breath to focus…and got an idea for a completely unrelated blog post (which I had to write down because otherwise I will forget).
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Finally, as I took my third deep breath, my toddler woke up from his nap. Meditation time was officially over.
Meditation is the practice of being still and calming the mind. It is an intentional choice to temporarily tune out the world of text messages, emails, Facebook updates, and YouTube videos and focus inward. I have gotten better at focusing during meditation since my first try and now will practice in spare moments. Sometimes these moments are literally less than a minute, but the benefits of having a calm mind are truly transformational.
Meditation does not have to be religious, though some do use it as part of their religious practice. I prefer to use it for the health benefits of decreasing the feeling of stress or worry. Studies show meditation can help reduce blood pressure, symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis, anxiety, depression, and the severity of acute respiratory illnesses, including the flu, according to the National Institutes of Health.
See also: Meditation Goes Mainstream
If you are ready to start meditation but feel your lifestyle has too many distractions, you might consider going to a place with limited or no distractions. Transcendental Meditation is a non-profit with certified teachers to guide you through the process and a strong celebrity following that includes Russell Brand, Ellen Degeneres, Jeff Bridges, Gisele Bundchen, and more. The center offers free introductory informational talks at their Brentwood location at 7pm on Wednesday evenings.
If Transcendental Meditation isn’t your thing, here’s our list of five groups that’ll help you find your center (often for free!): Learning to Meditate in St. Louis
For a complete sensory-deprivation experience, consider a 90 minute float at F.Lo.A.T. STL. Here’s how SLM staff writer Jeanette Cooperman described the meditative effect her first float had on her mind:
The first however many minutes (I lost all track of time the minute I stepped into that warm womblike room) were nice. Then I felt an unmistakable, indescribable shift—as though my brain and body finally, simultaneously, fully realized they could relax completely. Maybe it was what one of the owners, Kevin McCulloch, meant when he talked about dropping down into theta waves. All I know is, it was exciting the way a cool dream is, because you marvel that your brain can do that.
Adding meditation to your arsenal for stress management techniques will benefit you. Learning to take a minute to be calm, deep breathe, and be present in the moment is a free and portable gift you can give yourself at any time.
Amanda Kintz is a registered nurse, a veggie-loving wife and mom, and author of the blog Crunchy Hippie Life. She can usually be found eating delicious food or drinking yet another cup of coffee.
