Tips for establishing a daily meditation habit. Studies show that daily meditation reduces anxiety, improves health, strengthens social connections, and has numerous other benefits. . The Associated Press reports that misconceptions combined with busy lives may be what causes many beginners to give up on meditation. . But experts say that getting past the initial barriers requires unlearning common misconceptions about meditation. . Many people may feel like they’re “doing it wrong” or can’t slow down their thoughts and calm their mind. . It’s not about stopping your thoughts. Just like your body makes enzymes, your mind creates thoughts. . The key is to be able to go beyond your thoughts and witness them, meditation teacher Tara Brach told the Associated Press. Tara Brach, who has a doctorate in psychology and has trained more than 7,000 people as meditation teachers, says there is no one right way to meditate. The key to meditation is to relax and focus on the present moment. . Distractions are inevitable. To get past them, acknowledge the thought or urge to move and bring your attention back to the moment. Because meditation has no set time limit, it’s important to establish a daily habit, even if you can only meditate for a few minutes a day. The Associated Press reports that research suggests that, like exercise, the full benefits of meditation come from a consistent, daily habit.
