4 Simple Tips to Help Anyone Start Meditating
For many of us, 2016 was a doozy, but we here at Brit + Co are ready to hit refresh in 2017! Follow our Hit Refresh series through January for new ideas, hacks and skills that will help you achieve (and maintain!) those New Year’s resolutions.
Even though we tried to stay healthy over the holidays, we have to admit that we may have let the stress of hosting a kickass Christmas party and finding the perfect gifts get to us. That’s why we’re making a resolution to ditch unnecessary stress and keep our minds healthy in 2017.
But how exactly do we do that? Meet Yunha Kim, a former Wall Street investment banker who decided to quit her day job and pursue her true passion: meditation. After personally discovering the benefits of mindfulness, Yunha created Simple Habit, a girlboss meditation app that curates hundreds of five-minute meditation sessions for every type of mindful gal. We recently got the chance to sit down with Yunha and chat about how newbies like us can start meditating in the new year.
1. Start with five minutes every day. “Habits don’t happen overnight,” says Yunha. “Begin with small steps that you can’t talk yourself out of.” Instead of trying to schedule in an hour long meditation sesh in between meetings, “try five-minute meditations that focus on breathing or relaxing and get comfortable with the stillness of meditation.”
2. Meditate at the same time every morning or night. “Committing to the same time every day can make all the difference when starting a new habit,” Yunha advises. Whether it’s first thing in the morning or during your half hour lunch break, try to keep as consistent as possible with your short meditation breaks.
3. Let someone else guide your meditation. While experienced meditators can zen out solo, newbies might want to let someone else guide their relaxation time. “In my experience, meditation apps are the easiest way to start a meditation practice — all you have to do is listen and follow the teachers’ instructions,” notes Yunha. “There are so many different teachers and styles out there. Be adventurous to find the ones you like most.”
4. Set a goal with your bestie. “It’s easier to start a new habit when you have someone holding you accountable,” Yunha shares. If possible, try to share your meditation goals with your friends and check in regularly to make sure you both stay on track. “I personally like placing bets with friends to help me stay motivated,” says Yunha.
Have you tried using a meditation app to de-stress? Tweet us by mentioning @BritandCo!
(Photos via Getty)
