Mindful meditation is a different scope of meditation practice. Though all breeds of mediation have the end goal of making you one with your mind, body, and spirit, mindful meditation does exactly what it sounds like: makes your much more aware–mindful–and helps you to pay more attention to the present moment. Not only does mindful meditation give you more awareness, it is also used to treat high stress and anxiety levels. There are even clinical psychologists in Nashville, TN that offer this as a service for their patients. When practicing mindful meditation, it’s so important to keep in mind that meditation–as a whole–starts and ends with your body. If you want to be dedicated to achieving the benefits of meditation, you must take the time to really be cognizant of the needs of your body and the things that surround you. If this is something that interests you, here’s how you can practice from home:

Sitting: Before starting your meditation, find a peaceful area within your home–even outside–to sit in. You can sit on a chair or a cushion, anything that will provide you with stability and comfort.

Body Position: Make sure you are conscious of how your body is positioned. You will want to cross your legs in front of you if you are seated on a cushion and if you are in a chair, place your feet on the ground. You’ll want your upper body to be straight and in-line but not stiff. Let your spine rest in its natural curvature. Your upper arms should rest parallel to your upper body, as well. Let your hands comfortably rest on the tops of your legs and lower your chin so that you’re gazing at the floor in front of you. You can close your eyes if you feel the need to.

Relaxation: Closing your eyes really helps in this section of mindful meditation. Start to let your mind and body relax; focus on your breathing. Feel your breath as you inhale–focusing on the way your chest rises–and exhale, focusing on the way your chest lowers. While you are focusing on your breath, pay attention to the sensations your breath gives to your nose and mouth, stomach and chest; the way it sounds when you both inhale and exhale. Listen to its rhythm. Naturally, your mind will want to wander; this is normal and will happen from time to time. When it does, start to slowly draw your attention back to your breathing.

Ending the Session: Once you are completely focused on the beautiful rhythm of your breathing, slowly start to listen to the natural noises around you. If you are outside, listen for the chirping of a bird or the sound the trees make as the wind brushes through their branches. Think about the way these sounds make you feel; the emotions they inhibit and thoughts they bring to mind. Take a deep breath and move away from these thoughts and being to imagine how you want to go about the rest of your day. What do you want to accomplish? Once you have come up with an answer, take one last deep breath, exhale, lift up your chin, and open your eyes.

Mindful meditation has a number of benefits it inhibits on those who practice it. If you find that you need to exercise mindful meditation for its mind and health benefits but are having trouble practicing it from home and need some help, consider calling your local clinical psychologist in Nashville, TN who specialize in this specific area. With their expertise, they will be able to guide you through the path of mindful meditation and help you reduce your stress, lower your blood pressure, achieve inner peace, and enjoy life more.