Why meditation?

So many people ask me this. Why meditation? How is that going to help me? Of course I can tell you the benefits of meditation. That meditation has been shown to help relieve stress, to help shift your perspective, to help improve patience. The list goes on and on…A quick google search will show you that research continues to show that meditation helps to improve your overall well being.

I can tell them that personally, meditation has helped me to manage my health by improving my self-awarness. It gives me time each day to connect with myself and what I may need that day. It allows me to be more patient with myself and those around me.

But I am not sure that is actually what people are asking. I think the real question they are asking is how is meditation going to help them with their personal day to day life. How can meditation help them manage their workload? Be more patient with their kids? Be more present with their spouse?

I always answer this question with a challenge. A challenge to set aside 3-5 minutes a day to try meditating, every day for one week. To use this time to check in with yourself while listening to a guided meditation. And to notice how you feel after taking this time. To notice if you are more aware of your breath as you go through the day. More aware of your stress levels as you navigate your responsibilities.

Usually, those who accept my challenge, return the next week with their own answer to “how can meditating help my day to day life?”

So, what do you think? Ready to invest 3 minutes a day in yourself? You are so worth it.