6 Tricks To Make Daily Meditation A No-Brainer

Meditation is one of the most powerful tools you can use to create a totally awesome life. Without a doubt, the benefits will show up in your relationships, career, and health. The biggest gift of a regular meditation practice is not just a feeling of peace and well-being in your day-to-day, but also an enhanced ability to cope with stress and anxiety.

Despite the incredible benefits, a regular meditation practice can be a tricky habit to get into — I know it was for me! I would start out with the best intentions to meditate every day, but before the week was even out, my attempts were often thwarted, along with healthy eating and regular exercise.

As a holistic health coach, I have seen so many of my clients struggle with the very same thing. So I’ve come up with some fun tricks to make daily meditation (pardon the pun) a no-brainer!

1. Create an altar.

Having a sacred space to meditate in makes all the difference. Set up a corner in your bedroom or elsewhere in the house with a comfy cushion and some special objects that have spiritual meaning to you — crystals, treasured jewelery or trinkets, flowers, pictures or photos, or mala beads are lovely examples.

Create a peaceful atmosphere with a candle, or buy some beautiful smelling incense to burn while you meditate. Your altar will serve as an inviting visual reminder to get your meditation on each day.

2. Make the goal to connect with yourself in mediation at least once a day but don't get caught up with how that needs to happen.

Don't start out with the intention to meditate for 30 minutes at a time — chances are you'll have fallen off the wagon in a matter of days as life gets in the way. Allow your meditation practice to be flexible!

Some days you'll feel like sitting for 30 minutes and others days you'll sleep in and have hardly any time. But rather than dropping your practice altogether on those days, just sit your butt down and take 20 deep breaths into your belly, focusing on how that feels in your body.

3. Meditate as soon as you wake up.

Do you want to have an amazing day, feeling Zen and happy, and be super productive too while you’re at it? Then meditate first thing in the morning!

Stop telling yourself you don't have the time! If you have time to check Facebook or Instagram, or try on three different outfits, or even read this post, then you have time to meditate.

If you do it first thing, you wont miss a day and you'll be radiating those positive vibes from the get go. Give it a try and see how it effects the rest of your day — you'll be oh-so-glad you did.

4. Find a guided meditation you love.

Upload some guided meditations to your phone so you have a selection ready to go as soon as you want them. I have a handful of guided meditations that incorporate different techniques and are anything from 5 minutes to an hour in length so I can go with one that fits in with my day.

5. Extend an invitation.

If you find having your kids, roommates, family, or partner around makes it difficult to meditate, try asking them to join you! Throw some cushions on the living room floor and turn on a short guided meditation for anyone who wants to join you.

Don’t force them into it though — leading by example is best! This way you show them you’re committed and they are more likely to give you the space you need to meditate each day.

6. Understand just how dang amazing it will make you feel!

If I told you that you could spend just five minutes today on something that will improve your health, reduce stress, and make you happier and it's totally free, would you do it? You betcha! No surprises here, that's what your meditation practice is doing for you. So grab that cushion and get your Zen on.

Do remember not to beat yourself up about falling off the meditation wagon. Creating good habits takes time! Instead, bring your awareness to your desire to meditate and create a willingness to find some stillness each and every day. Before you know it, your daily meditation will be like second nature to you.