Meditation Techniques For Beginners - Mindfulness Hacks

Skip navigation!

Begin Slideshow

Illustrated by: Paola Delucca.

Is it just me, or is adulting totally overwhelming? Behind my smile, I am usually feeling frantic, harried, and overwhelmed most of the time. Things happen so fast that I don’t have much (or any) time to think about or process anything — I am just in a constant state of reacting and trying to stay above water. Unwinding in front of Netflix at the end of the day is essential. But, while that may be pleasurable, I recently realised that TV and movies are just more information coming into my brain, pulling my awareness away from myself and onto something else.

My solution to this conundrum? Meditation. Before you roll your eyes, know that I had been trying to meditate for years before I finally resolved to make it a daily practice this January. This, admittedly, does not make me a Zen master by any means. But it does mean that I’m still enough of a meditation newbie that I know what it’s like to get annoyingly vague meditation advice. Hearing or reading something like, “Just breathe and let go of your thoughts” can all too easily elicit an internal reaction that’s akin to, “WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?! SCREW THIS!” (This reaction is also a sign of needing meditation, BTW).

With that said, here are eight hacks that helped me get into my meditation groove.

More from Mind

Women Are Now Filming The Messy Endings In Their Lives

Would you rather cry on the phone to your friend about a breakup or broadcast a video of yourself in tears for millions to see? Some people are openly shar

by Tanyel Mustafa

Joking You’ve “Healed Too Much” Might Be A Sign You’re Still Hurting

Is it possible to have healed “too much” following a bad romantic experience? Adrienne, 29, from London, who doesn’t want to share her full name, thi

by Tanyel Mustafa

Dedicated Feature

Why Going To The Gallery Is My Secret Self-Care Weapon

The museum first became a safe haven for my mental wellbeing when I was a kid. I remember having to follow my grandad’s slow pace as I held his hand, pat

by Sara Quattrocchi ...

Why Is It So Damn Hard To Keep A Journal?

Welcome to Press Pause. This January, we’re asking: What does self-care look like when it’s not all or nothing? What if we simply pressed pause here

by Kayleigh Dray

I’ve Entered My Boring Era & Couldn’t Be Happier

Welcome to Press Pause. This January, we’re asking: What does self-care look like when it’s not all or nothing? What if we simply pressed pause here

by L'Oréal Blackett

Can These SAD Lamps & Wake-Up Lights Beat The Winter Blues? We Fo...

Sometimes, knowing a dark and gloomy autumn is coming can be more depressing than the season itself. If you’re someone with seasonal affective disord

I Couldn’t Afford To Treat My Mental Health Crisis Without ...

At the end of 2021, I paid £380 for the privilege of a psychiatrist telling me I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. This was a huge relief, particularly

by Sadhbh O'Sullivan

The Rise In Manifestation Sounds Is Causing Chaos For People With...

Twenty-seven-year-old Erica Kathleen regularly finds herself making private TikTok videos in the middle of the night to “manifestation sounds“.

What I Learned During My First 30 Days On Antidepressants

Trigger warning: This article contains references to suicide, which could be triggering to some readers. Welcome to Vibe Check, Unbothered’s wellness col

by Kimber Bowman

I Got Sweat Botox In An Attempt To Smell Better

My keen vigilance against smelling like body odour follows me around like a cartoon fart cloud. I am assured by people around me that the smell is all in m

by Sadhbh O'Sullivan

After 6 Years, I’m Taking A Break From Therapy

This is Grace Victory’s personal experience, as told to Sadhbh O’Sullivan Editors’ note: This story has been updated to reflect this is a

by Grace Victory

TikTok’s ‘Burnt Toast Theory’ Is All About Embracing Life’s Frust...

Picture this: You’re making toast in the morning as per your normal routine, only this time, it burns. Maybe you’re distracted, or you set your toaster

by Shaeden Berry