The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Even though meditation has been practised for centuries now, it wasn’t until recently that it gained traction as a method of de-stressing amid the hectic world we roam. It aids with bettering one’s attention span and sharpening focus. Many healers and yogis use it to guide participants to process difficult emotions and even alter consciousness which helps relieve anxiety and depression. It’s been shown to also show physical benefits by boosting immunity for fighting chronic illnesses like heart diseases and chronic pain.

Different people meditate differently. Aside from some religions or faiths that incorporate spiritual traditions within their practices and teachings, there is no right way to meditate. It’s all about finding the approach that meets your needs.

There’s this saying, “You should sit in meditation for 20 minutes every day unless you’re too busy. Then, you should sit for an hour”. But, all jokes aside, you should start in small increments, even for five minutes, and grow from there. This will be of drastic help with breaking up the chaos of life as we know it and will be the start of a transformative journey.

You can start with any of these simple at-home practices:

Mindfulness

5

Image via felixhug / Getty Images

Being mindful means paying attention to your thoughts and emotions without judgment or involvement. You simply observe them as they pass through your mind with utmost concentration and awareness. For example, while some find it helpful to sit in a quiet place with closed eyes and regulated breaths, others do it while commuting or doing chores.

Transcendental Meditation

Although it is preferably taught by a certified Transcendental Meditation practitioner, it’s actually a basic technique. You choose a mantra – a word, phrase, or sound – and repeat it for 20 minutes twice a day. This way, you help your body and mind to relax and feel a sense of peace and calmness fully. 

Loving-Kindness (Metta)

It’s a practice to strengthen feelings of compassion, kindness, and acceptance. This is done through sending well wishes towards oneself, loved ones, and all living beings. You start by reciting words of kindness towards yourself, then picture a family member or friend and repeat the mantra, this time replacing “I” with “you.” And on it goes.

Yoga

Image via RainStar/Getty Images

There is a wide variety of forms and techniques of yoga, but they all come down to performing a series of postures. These poses require balance and concentration, which are obtained by controlled breathing exercises and calming the mind to enhance flexibility, connect deeply with your body, and be present in the moment.