Happiness — an undeniably enjoyable feeling, a mindset that we are often seeking, and always pleased to arrive at. Meditation can help pave the way to a place of happiness through creating the conditions for a happy state of mind and quieting negative internal dialogue. 

By cultivating kindness and empathy for self and others, as well as tapping into our innate playfulness and presence, meditation can be a powerful tool for getting to (and staying in) your happy place. 

What Is Meditation?

Meditation is the process of training the mind to be present in a certain moment without getting distracted by outside thoughts or situations. It causes you to focus on one thought at a time and creates a sense of peace and quiet inwardly.

1. There Are Plenty of Ways to Meditate

When you think of meditation you might picture yourself sitting quietly. While this is a great way to meditate, there are a variety of other ways to engage in this activity as well. 

2. Combine Meditation With Fitness

For example, you can combine meditation with fitness routines, such as yoga, tai chi, or walking if you prefer to be active. Whatever you choose to do, pick a calming environment in order to get the most out of your time.   

Benefits of Meditation

Meditation causes a variety of physical and emotional changes in the body which supports a healthier lifestyle and increases feelings of happiness and contentment. 

Some of the benefits of meditation are as follows:

• Increased perspective regarding stressful situations
• Increased ability to handle stress
• Higher levels of self-awareness
• Ability to focus on the present moment
• Reduced negative emotions
• Higher levels of imagination and creativity
• Increased levels of patience and tolerance 

1. Meditation Makes You Happier

Happiness is often a by-product of events that occur to us, meaning that our emotions are based on circumstances. What if instead, we trained our minds to see the world differently and reacted to stressors in a healthier way? 

2. Meditation Helps You Grow

This is what meditation teaches us to do. It improves our ability to think, feel, and process stressors which in turn produces the benefits discussed above. In addition, the practice of meditation can be an integral part of your fitness regimen with benefits for both your physical and mental health.

How Can I Engage in Meditation?

There is no single way to meditate. In fact, with the help of Open, there are many ways you can engage in meditation. Consider some of the following options to get you started.

1. Here w/ Erin G.

Here w/ Erin G. encourages you to focus on the moment you are in while clearing the mind of stress and anxiety. It’s important that you go to a quiet location and close your eyes. As you complete the breathing activities, you picture a physical release of past regrets and future worries with each breath that you take.

Much of our sadness comes from a place of stress, anxiety, or fear. Therefore, ridding ourselves of these negative feelings will in turn increase levels of happiness. Consider this meditation as a way to start your morning or as an evening routine before bed.

2. Pocket Gratitude w/ Manoj D.

In the busyness of life, it is easy to forget the many small and large blessings alike. If you took even five minutes a day to review the things you are thankful for, this could make a huge difference in your happiness. 

Pocket Gratitude w/ Manoj D. was designed to focus on the things you are grateful for, whether that be a person, situation, physical possession, or personality trait you possess. This activity requires you to find a quiet place, close your eyes, and go through a variety of thankfulness exercises. With each thing you consider, examine how this makes you feel and the way it positively impacts you. 

3. On Flow w/ Kassia Meador and Manoj D.

On Flow w/ Kassia Meador and Manoj D. takes you through breathwork exercises in order to increase awareness and perspective. Practicing breathwork is at the heart of meditation and causes a calming and focusing of the mind. Changing our perspective often increases happiness as we let go of the tension, stress, and worry in our lives. 

Try These 5 Meditation Practices to Increase Your Happiness

With the help of Open’s videos, you can engage in a number of meditation videos to decrease levels of stress and reach a place from which happiness is possible. 

Increased happiness could greatly impact the way you view yourself, your circumstances, and the world around you. 

If you’re interested in meditation sessions, give these five practices a try.

• Morning Tone w/ Manoj D.: Start the day right with this short meditation session (5 minutes).
• For Fearful Moments w/ Allison S.: Calm an anxious mind with this guided meditation and visualization session (7 minutes). 
• Embody Self-Love w/ Allison S.: Practice compassion towards yourself and others (7 minutes).
• Evening Rest Body Scan w/ Lihi B.: Lay down and release your day with a simple, sweet body scan (8 minutes).
• Soothe Sunday Scaries w/ Allison S.: Soothe your mind and let go of any tension of the past (8 minutes).

As you explore these guided meditations and discover how to best incorporate meditation into your day-to-day schedule, you’ll start to notice just how transformative this practice can be. 

Whether you choose to meditate in the morning, afternoon, or evening, a consistent practice can help provide the tools you need to find positivity throughout your day, even during anxiety-inducing situations at work, home, or school. 

Only a few minutes of meditation per day can help you alter your mindset to benefit from an improved mood, reduced stress, and a stronger connection to the present. 

Sources:

Meditation: Take a stress-reduction break wherever you are

Meditation | Cornell Health

The Power of Meditation - Health Encyclopedia - University of Rochester Medical Center