Let's Talk... Meditation

Can't seem to control your thoughts? Are you stressed, anxious, irritable, sad, or just not feeling like yourself? Feel like you woke up on the wrong side of the bed?

If you answered “yes” to any of these, meditation is for you. Actually, I take that back… meditation is beneficial for anyone.

So what does meditation do? In short, it will help you better control and accept your emotions/thoughts and ultimately put you in a better, more present headspace. It is an excellent way to understand yourself on a deeper level!

Don’t believe me? Try it out every day for two weeks straight!

Take note of the differences in your moods, thoughts and physical states. Experiment with guided versus non-guided meditations and allow any thoughts you encounter during your practice to flow naturally.

If you have never meditated, I highly recommend watching this five minute intro video to get the basics down: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMMerxh_12U

Still not convinced you should meditate? Watch this three minute video that explains why EVERYONE should incorporate meditation into their lives: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efpneN90Trc

Next, check out all my favorite and FREE meditation resources!

The BEST SoundCloud Resource (favorite meditations for students/workers):

1. Dartmouth Student Wellness Center Meditations

• No account needed, just use this link https://soundcloud.com/user-332456490-255760449 or search “Dartmouth Student Wellness Center” on your SoundCloud app!

• These meditations were created for the students at Dartmouth, but they are excellent and have so many different meditation practices for beginners and more advanced.

• I recommend this to all my friends who are just starting to meditate so I HIGHLY recommend checking it out!

Non-Guided Meditation Spotify Playlist (for the more advanced meditator):

1. Raise Your Vibrations https://open.spotify.com/playlist/393BQsnsN8jLQAbxto3Y4e?si=2BiHVXHFQS6_7FC5tnDnZA

• This playlist is great for anyone who already knows how to meditate or prefers a non guided practice.

• When I listen to this playlist I like to set a timer for 10-20 minutes.

• During this time, I focus my thoughts on my breathing (breathing in for 4 seconds, holding for 7 seconds, and releasing for 8 seconds).

• I also visualize everything that I am grateful for and visualize everything I want in my life.

• If emotions or random thoughts pop into my head, I try to acknowledge and understand them (if necessary), then let them go.

Meditation Apps:

1. UCLA Mindful

• I LOVE THIS APP! All you need to do is download, and you are ready to go (no account required)!

• There are basic meditations ranging from 3-19 minutes, other wellness and health meditations, an intro section discussing mindfulness, and a meditation timer if you aren’t into guided meditations.

• Entirely free, no hidden charges, and excellent meditations for beginners.

2. MyLife

• This app is super cool because it tailors a meditation practice toward how you are feeling physically, mentally, and emotionally. All you do is answer three intro questions, and the app will select meditations that best suit your needs.

• This app also allows you to track your emotions over weeks, months, and even years. It follows how many times you check-in and how many times you meditate, which ultimately will help you establish a routine.

• You need to make an account for this app, but many of the meditations are free.

3. AwakenOM

• Another great app to have for meditations! I got this app through my yoga studio, and it has TONS of content regarding mindfulness.

• To get this app, you need to go to https://www.awakenom.com and create an account (all the meditations are free once you’ve created an account).

• It has tons of resources, including what meditation is, how to meditate, other mindfulness articles, and guided meditations ranging from 3-12 minutes.

• If you don’t like guided meditations, it also has a meditation timer and breathing practices

If none of the resources above suit you… I guarantee you can find a meditation you enjoy on Youtube- there are thousands of different practices! Here are some of my go-to’s:

Favorite Mindfulness Youtube Account:

The Mindfulness Movement: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheMindfulMovement/videos

• Feeling overwhelmed by how many meditations there are on Youtube? Don’t know how to sift through all of them and find a practice you like? Start here! I have genuinely enjoyed every single one of their meditations and think you will too.

For Anxiety and Stress:

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcyYzzZZMAE

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPsSQnMhHAs

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iGWdUTifIQ

4. https://youtu.be/HT_ZvD94_kE

5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1Camfpk2zw

6. https://youtu.be/uLCOnkLnJ-0

7. https://youtu.be/F8EIbBR43Q0

8. https://youtu.be/O-6f5wQXSu8

For Sleep:

1. https://youtu.be/ccvL_gdXbKM

2. https://youtu.be/TP2gb2fSYXY

3. https://youtu.be/y8LIbeKQ60U

4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQbpBJnJBR8

For Sadness:

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ug26l-2ktxA

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3xTelxky9A

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=149tYQEhqvY

4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-l0Tj0PdfM

For Anger/Negativity:

1. https://youtu.be/jE560Zu0hZU

Short but GOOD:

1. https://youtu.be/inpok4MKVLM

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0PSUDvLi8E

3. https://youtu.be/MR57rug8NsM

For Gratitude/Manifestation:

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGO8IWiusJo

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVPrxcR_RZI

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6dEz2UNcOQ

Happy meditating my friends. Feel free to share YOUR favorite meditations with me!