Mindfulness and meditation appear to be one of the biggest crazes around at the moment. From celebrities posting photos of them meditating to travel agents promoting relaxing meditation retreats in countries like Thailand, it is hard to escape the fact that meditation is the new big thing.
In a world that is so hectic and technology-centred, slowing down and taking time to focus on yourself can really do you wonders. You may find that you can breathe and sleep a bit better once you spend some time reflecting and relaxing.
Mindful meditation is an ancient Buddhist discipline that teaches you to focus with greater attention towards every aspect of your life. This mind-body-soul based approach to lifeteaches you to be aware of your thoughts and manage situations with a calmer attitude. With university being so fast-pased, I am sure that we could do all with learning how to observe situations more calmly and without judgement.
So why should you take up mediation?
- Mindful meditation is suggested to help with anxiety and stress. We all know university can be stressful, particularly in the first few weeks when everyone is settling in. It can be really easy to feel overwhelmed with balancing essays, socials, new and old friends, sleep, Saturday nights at the Lemmy, and maintaing a healthy lifestyle. In times like these, the practice of meditationcan help you to take a breath and face each of these individually with a more relaxed mindset
- Meditation can take as long as you want it to. Websites such as Headspace offer guided mediations that are specialised to tackle various aspects of your life. They range from 10 minutes to 1 hour practices.
- You can practice meditating either in your room or with others. You don’t need much to meditate, just a space and some quiet. The great thing about meditation is you can practice it in the privacy of your own room if you wish or with others. Exeter is very lucky to have its own Meditation Society, who meet for both student and professionally run classes. With sessions ranging from 10-15 minutes for beginners to longer for those whom are more practiced, the society is a great way to meet new people and learn how to adopt life with a calmer and more relaxed approach.
- It is easy to pick up. Meditation is not something that you compete with others to be better at. Practicing meditation can be a fun way to release tension and escape for a bit for just a few minutes. When trying it for the first time, try to remember that not everyone is a professional. It is natural for your mind to wander to what you are having for dinner or who you need to call on your way home.
Practicing mindful meditation is great for your mental health and can really help you deal with stressful situations with a calm attitude.