Perhaps one of the most accessible forms of therapy is meditation because it only requires a little time and very little guidance. Quite simply, meditation is the practice of thinking deeply or focusing one’s mind for a period of time. This can be done in silence or with the help of chanting, and is done for a number of reasons, ranging from religious or spiritual purposes to relaxation. Meditation is often used as a way to manage stress. Scientific evidence has emerged that shows meditation can be a helpful tool in fighting illnesses including depression, heart disease, and chronic pain.

There are many different forms of this ancient practice. If you’re interested in trying meditation, but do not know where to start, here’s a list of three types of meditation practice on your own today:

Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness meditation is the process of being fully present with your thoughts. Being mindful means being aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not being overly reactive to what’s going on around us. Mindful meditation can be done anywhere. Some people prefer to sit in a quiet place, close their eyes, and focus on their breathing. But you can choose to be mindful at any point of the day, including while you’re commuting to work or doing chores.

When practicing mindfulness meditation, you observe your thoughts and emotions but let them pass without judgement.

Transcendental Meditation

Transcendental meditation is a simple technique in which a personally assigned mantra, such as a word, sound, or small phrase, is repeated in a specific way. It’s practiced 20 minutes twice each day while sitting comfortably with the eyes closed.The idea is that this technique will allow you to settle inward to a profound state of relaxation and rest, with the goal of achieving inner peace without concentration or effort.

Guided Meditation

Guided meditation, which is sometimes also called guided imagery or visualization, is a method of meditation in which you form mental pictures or situations that you find relaxing. Youtube.com offers a variety guided meditation ideas.

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