In this regard, health experts highlight meditation as a way to relieve stress, in addition to its numerous health benefits, most notably its contribution to lowering blood pressure.
According to Healthline, people who meditate regularly record lower blood pressure levels, which reduces stress on the heart and lowers the risk of serious illnesses, such as heart attacks and strokes.
In this context, a Reddit user shared his personal experience with meditation, offering a set of tips for those wishing to try it for the first time. He said that he used to feel bored or sleepy during his initial attempts, or get distracted by fleeting daily thoughts, before discovering simple techniques that made meditation more effective for him.
He explained that the most important advice is not to try to clear the mind of thoughts, emphasizing that thoughts arising during meditation are normal. He advised observing them calmly and letting them pass without resistance, just like pop-up ads that can be ignored without reacting to them.
He also encouraged starting with small steps, such as dedicating one minute a day to meditation, and gradually increasing the duration. He recommended using breathing as a means of concentration, by regularly counting inhales and exhales, which helps to calm the mind and enhance mindfulness.
The user stressed the importance of linking meditation to a consistent daily routine, such as practicing it after brushing teeth in the morning, so that it becomes a habit that does not require hesitation or a daily decision.
He also noted that using calming music or natural sounds, such as rain, may help some people concentrate, stressing that complete silence is not a prerequisite for meditation.
He added that meditation doesn't require complicated postures or traditional sitting positions, explaining that remaining still in any comfortable position is sufficient. He also suggested categorizing thoughts as they arise, such as considering them as future plans or fleeting memories, which helps to reduce their mental impact.
He concluded by pointing out that meditation is not limited to sitting only, but can be practiced while walking consciously, or while eating with full concentration and without distractions, such as the phone or television.
According to Healthline, the benefits of meditation extend to reducing stress and anxiety, improving concentration and sleep quality, helping to control pain, and reducing age-related memory decline.
Meditation can also be practiced almost anywhere, whether at work, on public transport, or while walking.
