turn it into a lifestyle . . . and continue to practice always. begin by using tools and teachers. before you know it, everything you do in life will become a meditative experience.

set the mood

sound

when first starting, I recommend playing soft chill music to allow the mind to rest and remain present .... jazz, r&b, lofi chill beats, whatever makes you feel grounded.

scent

the connection between the mind and the sensory system, particularly olfactory, is powerful. essential oils can help energize or ground you, depending on what you are seeking from the mediation. add some to your wrists, behind your ears, and into a diffuser.

morning — bergamot, citrus.

day — rose, eucalyptus.

night — lavender, chamomile, ylang ylang.

envision

one of the most important aspects of meditation is priming your mind. envision what your place of bliss looks like. where do you feel most at ease? for me it is a quiet beach, during the day or at sunset. pro tip — make you phone wallpaper a photo of your happy place to instantly feel mindful.

comfort

whether you are home or traveling, ease into a comfortable position.

the key is to allow the body to feel grounded and neutral.

sip

have water / tea within reach.

ambiance

create a space to use intentionally for mediating. light a candle, turn on a himalayan salt lamp, add crystals, flowers, plants, charms — anything that brings you peace.

write

keep a journal of thoughts, feelings, and inspirations that come up.

apps

buddhify

buddhify has a meditation for just about any situation — going for a walk, taking a bath, traveling, falling asleep.

your selection of saved meditations appears on a wheel in a very minimal and easy to navigate format.

one-time purchase.

tap in

tap in offers a daily 3pm live mediation (and an occasional nighttime one). taking these ten minutes in the afternoon to pause in turn inspires focus and creativity.

before the mediation begins, you can follow the pink ombre breathwork feature accompanied by calming spa music.

free on app store.

museum of peace & quiet 

museum of peace & quiet allows you to create a compilation of your favorite soothing sound — my personal favorites are ocean, and rain + fireplace.

free on app store.

check in

relax your shoulders

unclench your jaw

drop your tongue from the roof of your mouth

take 7 deep breaths

in for 7

hold for 7

out for 7

TCFN!

<3,

Elizabeth