Meditation is a great way to bring the focus back to you. This ancient practice has been highly regarded for thousands of years. Originating in the Eastern part of the world, meditation and mindfulness are key to Eastern culture. Both form a key part of spiritual growth and self-realisation, and their popularity has spread throughout the West in modern times. 

There has been much research on the health benefits of meditation. Meditative practice has been linked to a reduction in heart disease and chronic pain, and it’s even thought to regulate blood pressure. The long term meditation benefits not only help the physical side of wellbeing, but mental health too. Studies have shown that meditation reduces stress and helps to induce a sense of calm and inner peace. 

The benefits of meditation are widely spoken about, but if you’re wondering, ‘how does meditation work?’, it’s actually all about the connection between our mind and body. Meditation gives us a chance to become quiet, focus on the present moment, and notice the thoughts and feelings we may usually miss during our busy day.

Read on to discover more about how regular meditation can become an important part of your self-care routine.

The importance of self-care

Modern life often sees us prioritising everything other than our own well-being, which often leaves us feeling overwhelmed and detached from happiness. When tough times and challenges arise, it’s important that we have enough capacity to be able to deal with whatever comes our way. And that means dedicating time to nurturing our body, mind and spirit. 

Here are just a few of the ways that self-care can benefit your life:

It helps you to feel healthy

When you prioritise your well-being, whether that be diet, exercise, or making more space for yourself, it will help you to feel more healthy in general. When your focus is on healthier choices, you are more likely to make ones that benefit the whole of you. 

It increases your self-awareness

Caring for yourself allows you to get to know yourself more deeply. When you are busy and prioritising everyone else, you don’t make the space to consider what you might want from your life. Self-care allows you to focus your full attention on yourself and listen to your inner self. The higher your self-awareness, the easier life becomes. 

More space for things that matter

Establishing self-care routines in your life will mean that you begin to implement boundaries. This means considering your own wants and needs and knowing where and when to give your energy and time. The more you say no to the things that no longer feel good, the more space you will have for things that matter to you.

Reduces your stress levels

Good self-care is needed in order to have more resilience to different stresses in life. Developing a self-care routine will help you to improve your stress response and in turn, will benefit the whole of your health. When you feel less stressed, this will also mean an improvement in your immunity and less likelihood of experiencing illness. 

Boosts self-esteem

Taking time to care for yourself and meet your needs is a great way to feel better about yourself. This is a great habit to adopt, and will contribute to better self-talk and more positive thoughts, and will also help you become clearer on your values. The more you’re able to live aligned with who you are, the better you will feel. 

Creating a self-care routine

The thought of creating a self-care routine may feel daunting, but there are lots of simple ways that you can begin to introduce self-care into your life. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Spend time outside

Getting outside can make all the difference in how you are feeling. It’s a great way to feel refreshed and prioritise yourself. Whether it’s a daily walk, or spending time in a location that brings you joy, making a commitment to yourself to prioritise time outdoors will benefit the whole of your wellbeing. 

Meditation 

Meditation can be an important part of self-care, allowing you to carve out some quiet time and focus on yourself. There are many different types of meditation, such as body scanning, using guided imagery, and mantra meditation. Whichever form of meditation you decide to try, spiritual coaching can help to improve your technique, especially if you find your mind wandering during practice. 

Journaling

Journaling creates time for self-reflection. It’s the perfect space to focus on yourself and develop your self-awareness. This dedicated time is a great way to connect with yourself, reflect on the things happening in your life, and hold space for you to feel your emotions. Getting into a routine of journaling each day can be an important way to care for yourself. 

Making time for hobbies

Doing things that you love is an important part of self-care. Committing time to things that bring you joy will enhance all of your well-being. If you’re struggling for ideas, think about things you enjoyed as a child. Or consider changing up the energy and trying something completely new.

Prioritise movement

Movement is a really important part of self-care. Emotions can become stuck in the physical body, so adding movement into your day will help you to shift these and feel what you’re feeling. This might be an exercise routine, a daily walk, or even dancing while you do chores at home. Moving the body will benefit your physical and mental health. 

Key takeaways

In today’s busy world, self-care is more important than ever before. This means prioritising your needs and making a commitment to value yourself and put your needs at the forefront of your life. 

There are many different ways you can begin to include self-care in your day. One of the best ways to focus your attention on yourself is by taking up a meditation practice. Meditation is the perfect way to learn to become more present and create a sacred space to honour your needs. 

Give it a go today – whether you want to practise mindfulness meditation to become more present, reduce stress in your day, or learn how to meditate for anxiety, meditation can truly change the game when it comes to creating space for self-care in your life. 

About the Author

Gareth Michael is a spiritual coach, teacher, channel of Michael, and author of the best-selling book Ever-changing Perspectives. He provides tangible, practical spiritual support stemming from his own life lessons and Michael’s profound wisdom and teachings. His personalised guidance helps people heal, find their spiritual direction, and understand their purpose.