A Beginner’s Guide to Meditation: Anyone Can Do It!

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Expert-backed steps and benefits of starting a meditation practice
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Breathe in. Breathe out. Man, you’ve had one rough day, and your mind is racing. If only there was something you could do to relax! Well, have you tried meditation? Meditating is a proven way to reduce stress, lessen anxiety, and improve blood pressure. [1] The simple act of closing your eyes and focusing on your breath can do wonders for your body, but how do you even get started? Is it really possible to clear your mind of every thought? In this article, we’ll teach you how to meditate step-by-step so you can feel lighter.

This article is based on an interview with our meditation coach, Masha Kouzmenko, co-founder of Silicon Valley Wellness. Check out the full interview here.

Things You Should Know

  • Create a distraction-free space without phones or TVs and a comfortable place to sit.
  • Set a timer for 5 to 10 minutes (or shorter), close your eyes, and focus on your breathing until the timer dings.
  • Concentrate on your inhales and exhales if your mind wanders while meditating—it may even be helpful to count your breaths.
  • Meditating can help you relax while lessening stress, relieving anxiety, and channeling your focus. [2]
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Starting Your Practice

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  1. An upright posture helps you focus on breathing as you inhale and exhale. If you’re sitting in a chair with a back, try not to lean back or slouch. Stay as straight as possible. [3]
    • Position your legs in whatever way is comfortable for you. Try extending them out in front of you or crisscrossing them.
  2. Try not to worry about what your hands are doing; just let them rest naturally. Some people like to hold their hands in a mudra position (with the pointer finger and thumb pressed together) on their knees, while others prefer to keep them folded in their lap. Do whatever is most comfortable for you. [4]
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  3. A slight tilt in your chin helps open your chest, and closing your eyes shuts out visual distractions. This is the ideal position for meditation, as it eases your breathing and helps you focus inward. [5]
    • As you continue to practice, you can learn to meditate with your eyes open.
  4. Once you’re settled into a comfortable position, set your timer for however long you’d like to meditate. Start small with 3 to 5-minute sessions, and work up to 10, 20, or even 30-minute sessions. [6]
  5. This is what meditation’s all about. Instead of trying not to think about things, give yourself something positive to focus on: your breath. Concentrate on your inhales and exhales, and let the worries of the outside world float away. [7]
  6. The goal is to be present within each breath, not to describe or judge it. Instead of worrying about what you’re feeling, focus on the present moment. Concentrate on one breath at a time. [9]
  7. If your mind starts to wander while you meditate, that’s okay! Rather than focusing on silencing your mind, let the thoughts come and go. Ignore outside world distractions, and return your focus to your breath. [10]
    • Notice when intrusive thoughts or distractions come through—is it during your inhales or exhales? Use this knowledge to revert your focus during specific moments of your practice.
    • If you have a hard time refocusing, try counting your breaths. [11]
  8. Meditation is a practice for a reason—it takes time to master! Try not to be too hard on yourself, especially when you’re first starting. You’ll build your meditating muscle with time. After all, being mindful is a lifelong goal. [12]
    • Aim to practice meditating for a few minutes every day. The more consistent your routines, the easier your sessions will become and the more benefits you’ll feel.
    • Try downloading a meditation app like Headspace or Calm or following guided meditations online, as these can help you when you’re feeling unmotivated. [13]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Meditation Prep & Tricks

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  1. Meditation can help you do many things, like improve your creativity, help visualize a goal, quiet your inner voice, or make a spiritual connection. Your reason to meditate doesn’t have to be grandiose, but having a goal can help guide your practice. [14]
    • Perhaps you hope meditating will help you manage your anxiety and relax more.
    • Maybe you want to feel more present in your body.
    • Summarize your reason into a mantra to help propel you through your sessions. This could be something like, “I am happy” or “I am healthy.” [15]
  2. Especially when you’re just starting out, it’s important to clear your environment of distractions. Turn off the TV, silence your phone, close windows and doors, and dim lights. The fewer things there are to distract you, the better. [16]
    • If you live with other people, ask them if they could be quiet or not come in the room for a short time while you meditate.
    • Enhance your distraction-free space by lighting a soothing scented candle or incense.
    • Put on instrumental music to help drown out outside noises and create a calming environment.
    • Place an inspirational picture near your meditation space to help encourage you. [17]
  3. Also known as zafus , a meditation cushion can help you stay comfortable and grounded while meditating. Make your own zafus at home by setting an old pillow or sofa cushion on the ground.
    • Use a pillow or cushion that’s large enough for you to sit cross-legged in.
    • If sitting on the floor hurts your body, feel free to sit in a chair.
  4. The main purpose of meditating is to relax your mind, body, and spirit, and wearing something comfy is a great way to start. Try to avoid wearing constrictive clothing like jeans or tight pants, and opt for loose, breathable fabrics. Wear what you feel the most comfortable in, even if that means your pajamas. [18]
    • As you continue your meditation practice, it may become easier to meditate in all types of clothing in any location. [19]
  5. [20] As a beginner, meditating during the busiest parts of your day may be difficult. Help ease your mind and avoid distractions by meditating at a time when you’re stress-free and relaxed. Perhaps this is first thing in the morning or right before bed. [21]
    • Remove all distractions before you start meditating. For instance, use the restroom, write that email, or eat a snack before sitting down.
    • Meditating during stressful times may become easier with practice, so be patient with yourself and your journey.
  6. When you first start meditating, it’s always best to allot a certain amount of time for your exercise. This way, you won’t be distracted by how much time you have left or if you meditated long enough. Start by programming your timer for 3 to 5 minutes and then move up from there. [22]
    • Use a handheld kitchen timer, your phone, or an online timer.
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Meditation Exercises and Resources

Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Why is it hard for me to meditate?
    Marta Nagorska
    Nail Artist
    Marta Nagorska is a Nail Technician and Nail Art Blogger based in London, UK. She runs the blog, Furious Filer, where she gives tutorials on nail care and advanced nail art. She has been practicing nail art for over 5 years and graduated from Northampton College with distinction with a Nail Technician and Manicurist degree in 2017. She has been awarded the top spot in the OPI Nail Art Competition.
    Marta Nagorska
    Nail Artist
    Expert Answer
    You might just need a little practice! The more you meditate, the more you'll become familiar with what distracts you. Just breathe in and relax, and you'll eventually be able to overcome distractions with practice.
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    Not Helpful 14 Helpful 48
  • Question
    How long should I meditate as a beginner?
    James Brown
    Meditation Coach
    James Brown is a San Francisco Bay Area-based teacher of Vedic Meditation, an easy and accessible form of meditation with ancient roots. James completed a rigorous 2-year study program with Vedic masters, including a 4-month immersion in the Himalayas. James has taught thousands of people, individually, and in companies such as Slack, Salesforce, and VMWare.
    James Brown
    Meditation Coach
    Expert Answer
    It can take a little time to get used to, so start with sessions that are only a few minutes long. Work your way up to meditating for 10–20 minutes at a time.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 21 Helpful 57
  • Question
    How long should I meditate if I'm just a beginner?
    Masha Kouzmenko
    Meditation Coach
    Masha Kouzmenko is a Meditation Coach and the Co-Founder of Silicon Valley Wellness, a company based in the San Francisco Bay Area that provides holistic health education services such as mindfulness meditation and yoga instruction to businesses. She has over five years of meditation and yoga instruction experience and specializes in guided meditation. She has a BA in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley.
    Masha Kouzmenko
    Meditation Coach
    Expert Answer
    You can easily meditate for just a minute or two if that's all the time you have. Just try to make it a daily habit so it becomes part of your routine.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 9 Helpful 61
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      Warnings

      • Always be wary of organizations or people asking for large amounts of money in return for learning meditation, as some may use a beginner’s inexperience to their advantage.
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      • Visions can occur while meditating and are completely normal; however, if they become distressing, stop your session immediately.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4895748/
      2. ↑ Soken Graf. Certified Meditation Coach. Expert Interview. 6 March 2020.
      3. ↑ James Brown. Meditation Coach. Expert Interview. 3 April 2019.
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/JslvBcIVtDg?t=106
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/oq6j9uWrcfg?t=81
      6. ↑ Masha Kouzmenko. Meditation Coach. Expert Interview.30 March 2020.
      7. ↑ Masha Kouzmenko. Meditation Coach. Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.
      8. ↑ Ni-Cheng Liang, MD. Board Certified Pulmonologist. Expert Interview. 18 June 2021.
      9. ↑ http://alifeofproductivity.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Meditation-Guide.pdf
      1. ↑ Ni-Cheng Liang, MD. Board Certified Pulmonologist. Expert Interview. 18 June 2021.
      2. ↑ Soken Graf. Certified Meditation Coach. Expert Interview. 6 March 2020.
      3. ↑ James Brown. Meditation Coach. Expert Interview. 3 April 2019.
      4. ↑ Masha Kouzmenko. Meditation Coach. Expert Interview.30 March 2020.
      5. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/in-practice/201303/5-meditation-tips-beginners
      6. ↑ Soken Graf. Certified Meditation Coach. Expert Interview. 6 March 2020.
      7. ↑ Masha Kouzmenko. Meditation Coach. Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.
      8. ↑ Soken Graf. Certified Meditation Coach. Expert Interview. 6 March 2020.
      9. ↑ Masha Kouzmenko. Meditation Coach. Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.
      10. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/meditation/in-depth/meditation/art-20045858
      11. ↑ James Brown. Meditation Coach. Expert Interview. 3 April 2019.
      12. ↑ Masha Kouzmenko. Meditation Coach. Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.
      13. ↑ Masha Kouzmenko. Meditation Coach. Expert Interview.30 March 2020.

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Once you’ve found a meditation area free of noise, bright lights, and other distractions, sit on the floor or in a comfortable chair with your back straight and your chin down. Breathe in and out through your nose, and focus your attention on your breath. If your attention wanders, simply bring it back to your breathing. Continue breathing until your timer rings. For more advice, like how to wear comfortable clothing during your meditation, scroll down!

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