As more individuals experience the health and wellness benefits that come from daily meditation, it’s increasing in popularity. However, just like other healthy habits, getting into the routine of daily meditation can be a challenge. You may have the best of intentions and even experience some benefits, but if you aren’t enjoying this practice, you’re less likely to stick to it. 

If you’re new to meditation and are struggling to stick with it, don’t worry! There are plenty of things you can do to make it more enjoyable. In this post, we’ll share seven tips for a fun meditation session, so keep reading!

The benefits of regular meditation

If you aren’t familiar with the benefits of regular meditation, start here! Learning about them is exciting and can motivate you to begin including this practice in your daily routine. 

Sense of calm

One of the best things about meditation is the inner peace and stress relief it brings practitioners. If you’re often stressed or anxious, relaxing and learning to calm down and let go of your worries can do wonders for your well-being. Although meditation helps you to focus on the present moment, the benefits don’t end when you resume other activities — the positive energy is long-lasting. You’ll find that you can focus easier and avoid the trap of overthinking. The breathing techniques you learn can also prove useful in tense moments, helping you maintain your calm. 

Improved physical health

Meditation isn’t a replacement for medical treatment, but it can decrease the need for medications by getting to the root of your health issues. Stress often triggers a number of side effects, taking a toll on our sleep quality and even cardiovascular health. Moreover, when we are feeling stressed we tend to make poor decisions, such as binge eating or skipping our workouts. As a result, regular meditation can lead to surprising health improvements. 

7 ways to make meditation more fun

Making meditation part of your daily life doesn’t have to be boring. There are many different ways to get more joy out of your sessions. Here are seven unique ideas!

1. Find a buddy

The company (sangha) that we maintain is important for keeping us feeling positive and inspired. Why not find a friend who is as passionate as you about meditation? Once you do, make a pact that if one of you falls off the wagon, you’ll be the support the other needs. And when you stick to regular meditation practice, treat yourselves! 

Your buddy and you could also meditate together, participate in a yoga rave, or go for a really nice Ayurvedic meal together — the sangha will grow stronger and so will you. 

2. Try a new location 

The best part about meditation is that it can be done anywhere — on top of a mountain, on a beach, on a train, and even in the middle of a traffic jam. And the experience could be different each time. 

We recommend switching up the location where you practice your mindfulness exercises, whether that’s in the garden, a different spot in your room, or while away on vacation. Some people even enjoy walking meditations instead of the type of meditation where you remain seated in a comfortable position. No matter where you are, take your meditation with you and get it done. 

3. Get some guidance

Sometimes, it helps to get a new experience during meditation, and that’s where guided meditation comes in. Light instrumental music is always welcome and some pieces have been specially composed for meditation. You can find several guided meditations on our Art of Living Journey meditation app. 

You might also want to include some yoga postures. There are several videos that guide you through simple sequences, and as you work through them, you’ll learn new meditation techniques. 

You could also join a Sri Sri Yoga class. Yoga gives balance and promotes flexibility and strength. More importantly, it’s a surefire technique to go deeper in your meditation practice.

  

4. Play on

The rules of meditation are simple. For the twenty minutes that you meditate, resolve: I want nothing, I need nothing and I will do nothing. Train yourself to think of this as a challenge — can you do this for 2 days, a week, or even a month?

The process is not to make you feel anxious. Just think about it before your practice and let it be. Move with the flow of your meditation. Challenge yourself to keep it up for 30 days and watch a new dimension of practice coming up.

5. Spread the joy 

The next time you’re meeting with friends or planning to hang out with them — remember to take a guided meditation with you. Do one with your friends and see the difference. The fun that you were planning with them will only double. That’s because the mind will feel fresher and you will be able to enjoy the moment more.

If you don’t have a guided meditation handy on you all the time, it’s alright. Just close your eyes and observe your breaths. When you do this a few times — whether at a park, a coffee shop, or even at a mall — you will realize the relaxation it brings to you and your friends. Also, you’re adding to the love and spreading the joy around.

6. Set a goal

If you’re having trouble feeling motivated, setting a goal for each session can help. You may decide to do a sleep meditation to get better quality rest, want to meditate for a longer period of time than usual, or boost your compassion. No matter whether your goal is big or small, having one in mind will give your session a sense of purpose and help you get it done. 

7. Switch up your routine

If you’re really struggling to stick to your routine, it may be that your current practice isn’t right for you. Try switching your routine, location, or the time of day you meditate. Playing around with these factors will likely help you determine what works for you (and what doesn’t). 

There are many different forms of meditation you can try in addition to your regular mindfulness meditations. So if visualization or body scans aren’t your style, look for something that is more suitable. If you haven’t found a routine that works for you, we recommend trying out SKY Breathe Mediation. 

However, once you figure out how to make your meditation practice a success, stick to it since commitment and consistency are what will give you the best results. 

Add a fun twist to your meditation with The Art of Living

Meditation should be enjoyable, so if you are still getting the hang of this practice, try the suggestions in this post.  If you’re a beginner, SKY Breath Meditation is a great place to start, and only takes a few minutes a day. However, The Art of Living has several meditation courses and resources that help you reach your goals, so be sure to check them out!