Meditation as a trend has taken off over the last few years – skyrocketing with the COVID-19 lockdown last year.

While some trends come and go, meditation is considered an essential part of life for many people. Regardless of age and lifestyle, it’s a practice with proving benefits for mood, health and most relevant now– study.

We’ve delved a little bit into how mediation for studying works and why it could change the way you look at studying – and it’s a technique for you to carry forward into other areas.

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Meditation for studying guidance

When you’ve planned your study sessions and collected all your notes then the difficult thing can be transforming yourself into the optimal study machine.
You brain works best under certain conditions – you want to be able to retain all the important information and meditation can help you to achieve this.
Instead of feeling anxious and with a low mood – you want to be feeling fulfilled and confident before and after your study session.
Meditating for up to five, ten or even twenty minutes before studying allows you to calm your mind. You can start with five minutes as you get used to emptying your mind and focusing on your breathing. And then work up.

As you meditate:

• Increase of blood flow to the brain and other organs.
• Parts of the brain associated with stress and anxiety begin to shrink.
• Development of parts of the brain responsible for memory.

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What to do

Step 1: Find a quiet place. You should choose somewhere that you won’t be disturbed by people or outside noises. The time of day you choose is important. Start out any spare 5 minutes will do. Set a timer for yourself.
Wear comfortable clothing. Bare feet are best to help with energy flow.

Step 2:

Sit in an upright position with your legs crossed. You head and neck should be in line with your spine.
Place your hands one on top of the other and rest on your legs or knees. Place a pillow underneath yourself if you need the support.

Step 3:

Close your eyes and focus your attention on your breathing. If your mind wanders to different thoughts remember to bring yourself back to concentrating on your breaths. It will take practice to stop your mind wandering. So it’s fine if you don’t focus 100% on the first few tries.
The thoughts you have are okay, and if it is a problem you find yourself facing, meditation can unlock fresh ideas that might have been hidden by stress.

Step 4: As you prepare to finish your  meditation session, don’t suddenly jump up and on to the next part of your day – slowly take in your surroundings and let yourself reboot.
Stretch and smile – you’ve done well.

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If you need extra support, there are many apps available for you to try:

Headspace

• Meditation and exercises with the essentials of meditation and mindfulness.
• Informative articles with the latest news and research.

Calm

• Health and meditation videos.
• Guided meditations and books.
• Sleep aid.

Spotify

• Wellness, Chill and Mood playlists.
• Lifestyle and Health podcasts.

Want to read similar blogs focusing on wellbeing and mindfulness? You can read our blogs Wellbeing apps for students and Improve and maintain your mental wellbeing