It’s that time of year again. The days are getting colder, the sun is setting sooner, we’re spending more time indoors and stress over the holidays and those wintertime blues starts hitting hard. To ease the transition from summer/fall fun into winter woes, I usually incorporate more meditation into my routine – even taking 5 minutes to center myself during the day really helps!! Meditation is simple but can require some guidance to ensure a lasting affect. Here are 5 easy steps to assure you have the most peaceful meditation session possible!

1. Quiet Down

Find a quiet space and remove all distractions. Go to the bathroom, put your phone on silent, make sure your meditation goes uninterrupted.

2. Get Comfortable 

Sit cross legged if possible, if that’s uncomfortable for you, try to sit with both feet on the floor and lengthen your spine. Keep those shoulders upright, not slumped forward.

3. Breathe

Close your eyes and allow yourself to breathe freely & naturally while focusing on each breath.

4. Clear Your Mind.

Any time you notice your mind wandering off to a new thought, let it go and return to focusing on your breathing.

5. Ease Yourself Out

Let yourself unwind slowly out of your meditation session, don’t rush into the next task. Stretch out, take some deep breaths, then go along with your day.

It’s important to start small. Don’t try to meditate for an hour on the first try. Ease yourself into a routine. Start with 3-5 minutes a day and then build. It’s important to allow yourself time to just quiet your mind especially during these bustling months.