Cross those legs and let the world go away for a few minutes.
Even as a self-proclaimed morning person, I don’t particularly relish getting out of bed on a weekday. As important as it is to get out of bed early and get the day rolling, the knowledge that there’s probably going to be some stress and annoyance over the course of the day can make anyone understandably reluctant. Instead of tumbling out of bed at the start of the day, I’ve taken to engaging in a few minutes of morning meditation to shore myself up against the day to come.
Now, when I say “meditation,” what’s the first thing that comes to mind? A bunch of Tibetan monks in a mountain monastery chanting mantras for hours on end? Well, thankfully, you don’t have to go that far if you don’t want to. Morning mindfulness meditation can last from as little as five minutes to as long as 45 minutes, but the point is that it doesn’t need to consume a meaty chunk of your day. Just sit somewhere comfortable, cross your legs, and focus on nothing but your breathing for a little while. Or, if you’re feeling especially blue, try gratitude meditation, taking deep breaths while thinking about the things you’re grateful for.
Studies have shown that starting your day with as little as ten minutes of simple meditation can provide a variety of benefits to your mental and emotional health, as well as generally make the rest of the day a more positive experience. People who meditate tend to exhibit reduced stress and anxiety, improvements in focus and productivity, and just all-around better moods. If you take a few minutes in the morning to focus your thoughts and properly wake up, you’ll be more prepared for what’s to come. It’s like coffee, but with more introspection.
