Take a Minute
Forming healthy habits is hard and for them to last, you want to be consistent. The more often you meditate, the easier it gets and the deeper and more enduring the benefits. So set a low bar starting out to ensure you can maintain your commitment. And one minute is the complete opposite of intimidating. What’s more, it’s scalable—after one minute of meditation, you’ll likely think to yourself: I’m already here; might as well keep going a bit. And once you opt in for more, you’re meditating out of actual interest, making it much more likely to have a lasting effect.
Find Your Spot
Although you can meditate lying down, you’ll want to sit up in order to wake up in the morning. Plus, according to experts, it’s easier to do it if your spine is straight. It’s helpful to designate a space for your meditation, to help put you in the right mind frame. Sit on a chair in the corner of your bedroom or on the side of your bed with your feet on the ground.
Develop Your Method
There is no one-size-fits-all method to meditation. I started by just focusing on my breath and my body, trying to empty my mind of any random thoughts, but also not fighting it when they creep in. In fact, sometimes it’s during this brief time that inspiration will strike. I place my hands on top of my thighs and bring my awareness to my breathing—counting to five as I inhale and five as I exhale (and repeat). But the Headspace app offers hundreds of options that include everything from deep-breathing techniques and guided walking meditations, to semi-guided and completely unguided meditations.