Morning Meditation – How to Start Your Day Positively and Set Intentions For a Fruitful Day
Meditation is a practice that has helped people for thousands of years find the calmness and tools they need to deal with life’s day to day interactions. While no one is a stranger to stress and negativity, we can take steps to stop unwanted negative thought patterns before they begin. One of the keys to meditation is to allow thoughts to pass through the mind without trying to control them. The purpose is not to stop the thoughts from coming, but to let them move in and out of the mind freely without picking them up and focusing on them. Meditation does not have to be complicated. Simply breathing and paying attention to the present moment can help relax the body and free the mind of worry. A daily practice can help immeasurably, and meditation has been proven to help with anxiety and stress. What better and easier way to stay healthy in both body and mind?
A quick, easy morning meditation can help you start your day off on a positive note and plant the seed for the day’s intentions in your mind. Below are some simple steps to help you start your day in a positive manner, setting your intentions and shifting your mind to a positive mindset before you even get out of bed.
1. Sit up in bed. Before letting your mind begin to wander, simply let yourself breathe for a moment as you allow your mind and body to wake up.
2. Take deep breaths, drawing each breath down into the belly with a gentle, rhythmic motion. Let your body stay soft and your mind relaxed.
3. Begin embracing the day ahead of you, staying open to all possibilities the new day brings. Look forward to your day with gratitude for what you have.
4. Begin to focus on that day’s activities and what you want to accomplish without overloading your mind. Perhaps start with one or two things that you intend to accomplish that day.
5. Breathe deeply while reflecting on your day’s goals and setting the intention to commit to finishing those activities or goals before the day’s end. It's okay to set the intention for things you feel you can accomplish within reason, and that can be done without stress or pressure on yourself.
6. Breathe and sit for as long as needed before starting your day.
Once you’re up and moving, give yourself the gift of a health sustaining breakfast. A cup of green tea, which is believed to help lower cholesterol and reduce heart disease, can be combined with a slice of whole grain toast spread with peanut butter or a boiled egg for a protein boost. A simple smoothie containing greens such as spinach or kale, both full of vitamins and antioxidants, a handful of berries, and a banana for potassium can help you feel full all morning while providing natural energy.
