Daily meditation — the practice of staying in the present moment and being mindful for a set period of time — has numerous health benefits. Still, few people set aside the time to meditate because they don’t feel like it or don’t know how to get started. 

Developing a daily meditation practice is one of the best things you can do for yourself. It’s been my experience as someone who has been meditating daily for the past 52 years.

A daily meditation practice will help you to feel calmer and more mindful, and also help reduce stress and negative thoughts.

I know that meditation can seem daunting at the start. Daily practice can sound like a lot! But take it from me, you can do it. I started as a 17-year-old college kid who found that when I  meditated, I felt better, got better grades in school, and enjoyed life more. One day led to another, and 50 years later here I am helping others learn to meditate and leading a life I love. 

In this post, I'm going to share some of my story with you and offer some guidance on how to kickstart your own daily practice.

Starting a meditation practice: How it all began

I'm going to take you all the way back to the 60s: I was a young guy working on a project called Outward Bound. There was one colleague of mine who just had something different about him. Maybe you've noticed that some people just seem to radiate peace and happiness, while also being able to focus and get so much done.

My colleague was just like that. He had such an amazing sense of humor and worked more effectively with the students than anyone else on the team. I kept wondering what made him so vibrant. At that point, I knew nothing about meditation and assumed he must be on drugs (Remember, it was the 60s after all!).

So, I asked him what drugs he was taking, and he told me that he didn't take any drugs. However, he did do a practice where he closed his eyes to meditate.

All I could say at the time was "That sounds really weird!". But — and I will be forever grateful for this — he put his hand on my shoulder and asked me to give it a try, even if it sounded weird. 

When a good friend like this shares heartfelt advice, you can't help but pay attention. After that, it took me almost a whole year to find a meditation teacher, but in my freshman year of college I finally learned, and everything changed.

The benefits of daily meditation

Where should I begin? There are so many!

Regular meditation practice can have a huge impact on your life and whole body. The stress of each day can take a toll on your health, but meditation allows you to clear your headspace and focus on the present rather than what worries you. With time, you’ll find that meditation brings the following benefits:

• Fall asleep faster and improved sleep quality
• Relax and manage stress
• Focus while calming a busy mind  
• Manage your emotions, become more patient and tolerant
• Have more energy
• Increased awareness during the day
• Lower blood pressure and resting heart rate
• Boost your immune system
• Improve cardiovascular health

In addition to the above health benefits of meditation, many individuals with health conditions find that regular mindfulness practice helps them manage their symptoms and gives them inner peace.

How can you start a meditation practice?

After reading about my experience with meditation and some of the benefits it can bring, you’re probably wondering how you can get started with daily meditation! 

Beginners often try to do everything themselves, but taking the time to study with a teacher is a great way to enhance your meditation practice and learn from their wisdom. Having a guide in the world of meditation really helps at the beginning when creating this new daily routine.

Gone are the days of searching for a meditation teacher in your neighborhood or having to teach yourself through meditation books. Thanks to the increasing popularity of meditation, there are an unlimited number of resources out there, most of them at your fingertips — popular meditation apps, online instructors, or online video meditation series can help you begin this new practice without a hassle. The key is finding a solid meditation practice that works for you and meets your goals.

You could even dive right in with a guided 10-minute meditation video! 

Key tips for starting a daily meditation practice

Like all habits, starting a daily meditation practice may seem daunting at first. People often ask me for tips and advice on how they can learn to meditate daily. Here are some tips I often share. 

Ask for help

Don't try to learn it all by yourself. Get support from someone who is an experienced meditator. You’ll find your daily meditation a lot more rewarding when you don’t try to figure it out alone, and the benefits you experience will make it a lot easier to stick to your new habit. 

Stick to traditional techniques

Learn a tried-and-tested practice that has been around for generations or even centuries. Rather than experimenting with fad meditation practices, go for something trustworthy. Learning a tried-and-tested technique is a huge support on your path to living a more mindful life. The advantage of an older and more established technique is that it has been tested, and has stood the test of time. There are so many different types of meditation these days, and not all of them are healing or helpful.

Set attainable meditation goals

If you’re just starting to meditate, setting aside a few minutes every day is a great start. Gradually, you can increase your sessions, but I recommend focusing on consistency. 

Incorporate meditation into your daily routine

If you have trouble remembering to meditate or don’t have a lot of free time, it’s a good idea to do it at the same time every day. Many people prefer waking up early or meditating at night when everyone else has gone to sleep. Whatever time you choose, be sure to find a moment when you normally have calm, quiet surroundings or are alone.

Doing these things will help you to incorporate meditation into your daily life in a way that is sustainable and brings you multiple benefits and positive effects.

Start your own daily practice with The Art of Living

Starting a daily meditation practice will change your life! It’s not hard to get started, and using the tips in this guide can help. 

Are you ready to build your own daily practice of meditation? SKY is an effortless, tried-and-tested practice, taught both online and in person by an expert instructor. SKY has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression, strengthen the immune system, and help practitioners to navigate the challenges of modern life.

What’s better? The research shows benefits even from day one. 

If you'd like to find out more you can join a free intro workshop, where you will get a taste of the SKY course and see if it is something you want to explore. Or download our Art of Living Journey App for a 14-day trial!

Whatever you do, remember five minutes (or even a few moments) spent in meditation is never wasted!