A morning meditation is the perfect way to start your day. Practice just sitting, keeping your mind blank, slowing your body down. We live in a world where everything is constantly go, go, go. The morning is the perfect time to set the tone for the rest of your day. Give this 28 day morning meditation challenge your all and you will see a definite change in your outlook.
The History of Mediation
Meditation goes back to approximately 5,000-3,500 BCE. Every culture has adopted some form of meditation. Meditation first came to the United States in the early 20th century, although it did not catch on until the 1960s (big surprise there!). There are many different types of meditation, each culture or religion embodying their own versions. Despite what many think, meditation is not necessarily a religious practice, though it can be used as one.
How Meditation Works
Meditation slows the wavelengths in your brain, which gives your more time between thoughts. This allows you to really think about a particular situation without making a hasty decision. Meditation also helps preserve your brain while you age. Meditation allows you to stay focused on a task. This means that when your brain starts to wander, if you meditate regularly, then you will be able to refocus more easily. Meditation also lowers depression and anxiety.
Do I Have To Do a Morning Meditation?
Nope. You can meditate at whatever time of day works best for you. Maybe do it before bed, on a lunch break, or any other time you have a few minutes. I like to meditate in the morning because it allows me to set the tone for the rest of my day. I can let go of everything I am worrying about and recenter myself in the present.
What If I Can’t Meditate or Don’t Like It?
I personally keep trying to meditate, but it actually stresses me out more sometimes. I really encourage you to give meditation your best shot. If you don’t like meditation or it isn’t working for you, after giving it your best shot, then you can move to a gentle yoga practice. I will do yoga instead of meditate sometimes because I can lose myself in the movement and flow of yoga better than I can seated on the floor. The best thing to do is to keep trying meditation, because every time you try again you are making small changes to your life.
The Challenge
2017 Meditation Challenge Calendar
Day 1: 5 Minutes
Day 2: 5 Minutes
Day 3: 5 Minutes
Day 4: 7 Minutes
Day 5: 7 Minutes
Day 6: 7 Minutes
Day 7: 10 Minutes
Day 8: 10 Minutes
Day 9: 10 Minutes
Day 10: 12 Minutes
Day 11: 12 Minutes
Day 12: 12 Minutes
Day 13: 15 Minutes
Day 14: 15 Minutes
Day 15: 15 Minutes
Day 16: 17 Minutes
Day 17: 17 Minutes
Day 18: 17 Minutes
Day 19: 20 Minutes
Day 20: 20 Minutes
Day 21: 20 Minutes
Day 22: 22 Minutes
Day 23: 22 Minutes
Day 24: 22 Minutes
Day 25: 25 Minutes
Day 26: 25 Minutes
Day 27: 27 Minutes
Day 28: 30 Minutes
2017 Meditation Challenge Calendar
Resources For Guided Meditations
Some people like to just sit on the floor with silence, or with a mediation playlist. If you are like me and struggle with meditation to begin with, a guided meditation is probably the best way to go, at least in the beginning. Here are several resources that I use:
Yoga With Adriene
General Youtube
Yoga Studio App
Calm App
There you have it. A 28 day morning meditation challenge that will leave you feeling refreshed and renewed. Meditation is a very difficult thing to do because it goes against the go, go, go flow we usually ride in. Give it a shot. Try your best. I guarantee you will start to fall into a rhythm that leaves you feeling more relaxed! Have any questions or tips for meditation? Drop them in the comments so I can check them out!
Just in case you didn’t download the calendar above, here is the link again!
2017 Meditation Challenge Calendar
