hey tribe!

do you know that we have about 60,000 to 80,000 thoughts every day? well, that’s how much we think on a daily basis, and if you are an overthinker then good luck to you. the simple point is that we cannot stop our thoughts at will even if we want to and despite what people think meditation is not about stopping all thoughts. that’s almost next to impossible. so, if you are having thoughts during meditation, you are not doing anything wrong. but meditation is about trying to keep your thoughts from distracting you.

so, if you are getting swept away by your thoughts and you are unable to still your mind, here are some tips that might help you relax the next time you mediate:

count your breath

one of the easiest ways to keep your mind from wandering is to count every time you inhale and exhale. start counting in cycles to keep it easy; from 1 to 10 or from 1 to 20. don’t worry if you lose count. It's okay. just start over.

draw shapes with your breath

explore different breathing exercises like drawing a triangle, i.e., inhale-hold-exhale, with your breath. you can add a visual element to guide your mind better instead of just counting from 1 to 20.

write down your thoughts

if you know it is one of those days when a lot is going on in your head, then you can just get a pen and start writing those thoughts down in a journal before starting your meditation session. don’t try and analyse your thoughts, just let your thoughts flow onto the paper. by the end of it, you will find that your mind is much clearer.

visualise your thoughts

instead of trying to control your thoughts and keep them at bay, you can welcome them with open arms. let your thoughts come and go without actively trying to push them away. you are not focused on any one thought. instead, you are just letting them float around you without affecting you.

well, there you go! those were all the things we know that could help your meditation. does your mind wander often? have you ever tried any of these techniques to calm your mind? write to us and tell us on Instagram @liveaastey.