We've all heard about the endless benefits of meditation: Research has shown that the practice may help reduce anxiety and depression, relieve insomnia and more. And with so much going on in the world right now, we could all use something that will help us feel calmer. But when it comes to actually sitting down, embracing the silence and focusing on your breath, it can be a hard task to accomplish.
But it's easier than you may think. In fact, meditation is really just about connecting with yourself and your thoughts. If you're struggling to figure out where to start, before sitting down for a meditation, try simply being more mindful in your daily life, said Laurasia Mattingly, a meditation teacher and author of "Meditations on Self-Love."
"Pick an activity and do it with full presence," Mattingly said. "For example, brushing your teeth. Typically when brushing our teeth, we're thinking about other things, like what we need to get done. Try [doing it] with full presence: What sensations do you notice? What tastes? What do the bristles feel like when they move across your gums? Really we can apply mindfulness to anything, and that's a beautiful first step."
From there, start to experiment with other forms of meditation. Self-care apps like Headspace and Calm offer guided sessions and courses that will help you ease into the practice. With proper guidance and a few handy tools, you may soon find that making the beneficial practice a regular part of your routine is pretty simple.
Below, we rounded up some top-rated items to help you get started.
Tools and devices to help you start meditating
Handmade Concrete Incense Holder
Create a calming environment for meditation by burning your favorite incense in this handmade concrete holder. It's offered in an array of colors from charcoal to rose.
Asutra Pure Soothing Comfort Aromatherapy Mist
Another way to get your space ready for meditation is to use an aromatherapy calming mist on your linens, pillows, room — and even yourself! They come in a variety of scents that can be used for different reasons, but the lavender and chamomile scent can help calm and soothe you as you prepare to begin meditating.
Sage Smudge Kit
Cleanse your space pre-meditation with this bestselling sage smudge kit from JLLocal's Etsy shop. It comes with two white sage smudge sticks, two Palo Santo sticks, an abalone shell, a Rose Quartz stone and an instructional guide on how to use everything.
Gaiam Yoga Block
Getting comfortable and finding a proper seat before you begin meditating is vital to the process. If you prefer something firm, try a yoga block! This bestseller comes in almost 30 different colors.
Morphée Meditation Box
This non-digital meditation box operates free of screens, internet or Bluetooth so you don't get caught up in any distractions while trying to begin your meditations. Turn each key to choose the theme, session and duration you desire and a switch to choose the voice to guide you through your session. There are over 200 possible combinations, so you're sure to find one that works for you.
n.o.w. Tone Therapy System
Sometimes when sitting in complete silence, our minds tend to wander. This set of speakers emit an array of ever-changing and calming tones to help keep you focused on your meditation efforts for three minutes before drifting into silence. It's perfect for when you just need a few moments of relaxation or to get you started on a longer attempt.
The Original Ohm Tibetan Singing Bowl Set
Create soothing tones with this palm-sized Tibetan singing bowl. Each set comes with a wooden striker, hand-sewn cushion and brass bowl that is hand-hammered in Kathmandu, Nepal. According to the brand, the tones from the bowl can create the "perfect state for deep meditation."
Headache Hat
Sometimes, the thing stopping you from being able to focus on meditating is a splitting headache or — even worse — a migraine. The Headache Hat is a wearable ice pack that helps combat headaches or migraines. It can be worn as shown or unwrapped and laid around your neck and shoulders for additional tension and stress relief.
Chesapeake Bay Serenity + Calm Candle
Creating the right ambiance can be an important part of having a successful meditation session. Mattingly said she likes to have a candle burning in the background. This bestselling option comes in a variety of scents, but we recommend the lavender thyme candle, as studies have shown that lavender's scent can boost mood and lessen anxiety.
"The Five Minute Journal"
If you simply want to be more mindful but aren't ready to sit down for a full meditation just yet, try journaling. Mattingly loves this guided option, which is meant to be used in the morning and night to help you reflect on what you're grateful for and set affirmations for the day. "Practicing daily gratitude has changed the way I approach each day and the way I end each night," she said.
Panda Planner Pro
The hardest part for many people is finding time to actually sit down and meditate, said Ben Turshen, a meditation teacher and founder of Access Meditation. "If you wait until you have time to meditate, you may rarely do it," he said. "You have to make the time for it, and the more you plan for it, schedule it, prioritize it, organize around it, the more likely it is that you'll do it." That's why he recommends a daily planner, which will help you map out your day and make sure you leave time for a session.
InnoGear Essential Oil Diffuser
Running an essential oil diffuser is another great way to bring the benefits of aromatherapy to your meditation session. This affordable option is palm-sized, so you can easily take it with you from room to room as you find your favorite meditation spot in the house. Fill it with lavender essential oils or other calming scents like ylang-ylang or sandalwood.
Anker Soundcore Life Active Noise-Canceling Headphones
Distractions are aplenty at home, so tune out the noise and zone in on your meditation with the help of these noise-canceling headphones. They feature internal and external microphones that will cancel out a variety of noises to help you maintain your focus. They're Bluetooth-enabled, too, so you can connect to your phone and stream guided meditations or play peaceful music.
Lotuscrafts Meditation Cushion Round Lotus
When you're just starting to meditate, Mattingly recommends sitting on a chair with your legs and feet on the ground to support your spine. Once you're comfortable, you can move to traditional cushions, like this one. The pillow is made to help keep your spine aligned and help you breathe deeper. Some reviewers say that while it's great for meditation, it can also be used as a posture supporter for long work days.
HIGOGOGO Floor Pillow, Square Meditation Pillow
For extra support for your knees and bottom, try this chic pillow. Not only will it help you find a more comfortable position, but the bright colors and corduroy fabric will look great in any space. When you're not using it for meditation, place it on your couch or bed as a decorative pillow.
Love Sweat Fitness Premium Yoga Mat
Stephanie Mansour, a fitness expert and TODAY contributor, previously told Shop TODAY that one of her New Year's goals in the past was to meditate more. In order to make it happen, she said she rolls out this yoga mat every morning and sits for a five-minute meditation. The durable mat is made from eco-friendly materials and features a marbled pattern on one side.
BalanceFrom GoYoga All-Purpose Yoga Mat
If comfort is your main concern, try this foam mat, which is extra thick to provide your spine, hips and knees with cushioning. It's easy to clean, too — just wipe it down with soap and water.
Pure Enrichment Wave Premium Sleep Therapy Sound Machine
While this sound machine is technically meant for sleep, it can be a helpful tool for those just starting to meditate. Drown out outside noise with the six sound options, including white noise, ocean, rain and stream. You can set it to shut off after 15, 30 or 60 minutes, so it can also act as a timer for your session.
Do Not Disturb Door Hanger
Turshen gives all of his students a "do not disturb" sign to hang on their doors. "That's really all they need," he said. "A place to sit comfortably and safely where they can close their eyes without worrying about being interrupted."
Take a page from his book and make sure everyone in your house knows that you need an interruption-free space. Bonus: It'll also serve as a way to let your family know when you're on an important meeting or Zoom call.
Muse 2: The Brain Sensing Headband
Curious about how your body is actually reacting to meditation? This smart headband will track and measure your heart rate and brain waves to give you real-time feedback on your body's response. The brain sensors will recognize when your focus is drifting and provide you with sound cues to bring you back to the meditation. You can use the data to track your progress and discover how you're responding to a regular practice over time.
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