Blog article

How to start meditating

By HBF
4 minutes
19 December 2021
Breathe deep and soothe your mind. A meditation teacher and counsellor shares how to get started – and a few simple exercises to try.

Meditation can be a soothing way to support your wellbeing, helping you to relax, reduce stress and improve your mental health.1

Not only that, it may also benefit your physical health – for example, by helping to improve sleep patterns and manage high blood pressure.1

Ready to give it a try? Megan Sanderson, a qualified counsellor and wellbeing consultant, shares some expert tips.


In this article


What is meditation?

“Meditation is an experience in which you are completely absorbed by the present moment, whilst being in a calm and relaxed state,” Sanderson says.

“I also like to describe it as a form of training for the mind, helping you to focus on one thing at a time without becoming distracted.”

There are lots of different ways to meditate, but many involve sitting comfortably in a quiet place, closing your eyes, and focusing your attention on one thing – such as your breathing or the sounds around you.1

Benefits of meditation

So why meditate? The are some good reasons why it’s so popular all around the world.

A few things meditation may help with include:1

Understanding stress – and how to manage it

7 tips for learning to meditate

"If the idea of sitting still and focusing your mind feels challenging at first, that’s completely normal," Sanderson says.

“It's important for beginners to understand that meditation is a skill that takes time to develop,” she says.

"The more you practise it, the easier it becomes."

Here are a few tips she suggests for getting started with your meditation practice:

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Body scan meditation

One simple technique Sanderson suggests for beginners is a guided body scan.

“This can give you a feel for where you hold tension and stress in your body, and allow you to focus on relaxing those areas,” she says.

She shares a few steps to get started:

Breath meditation

Another meditation exercise Sanderson suggests involves simply focusing on your breath.

Here’s how:

You can use these simple meditation techniques whenever you want to feel more relaxed or refreshed. With practice, they can become a beneficial part of your self-care routine.

For more guidance, you might like to look for a meditation teacher or group near you or online, or try apps like Smiling Mind or the free Insight Timer.

1 healthdirect – Meditation (2020)


This article contains general information only and does not take into account the health, personal situation or needs of any person. In conjunction with your GP or treating health care professional, please consider whether the information is suitable for you and your personal circumstances.

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