Meditation has a large number of benefits, from helping you to connect with your higher self or your spirit guide to providing time to reflect, or even to simply take some time out of your schedule and relax.

Our lives are often busy and many of us don’t get much chance to take time for ourselves and unwind.

Meditation is the perfect way to get this sacred peace and quiet.

But for beginners – or even those who have been meditating for a while – it can sometimes be hard to switch off from buzzing thoughts and focus on the task at hand.

Often people give up on practising meditation because it’s ‘too hard’ and they don’t feel the benefits. Good meditation takes practice and you should give yourself time to get used to the process.

Here are our tips on how to improve at meditation, so that you can take advantage of the many benefits.

1. Create a dedicated space

If you simply plonk yourself down in front of the TV and expect to be able to focus on your meditation, you’ll never succeed.

Meditation is a powerful spiritual practice and so it should be treated as such, with respect and deep thought.

To be able to meditate well, you need to be in a quiet, comfortable place.

Creating a designated meditation spot that is welcoming and comfortable, as well as away from noise and other distractions will allow you to relax and focus.

2. Meditate at the same time every day

Similar to having a dedicated place to meditate, it is also a good idea to have a set time in your schedule to focus on the practice.

Many experienced and successful meditators actually practice twice a day, often at sunrise and sunset, but this is obviously difficult for many people to fit into their schedule.

However, finding a time in your day to dedicate to meditation will help you form a healthy and regular habit and will also help prepare your body; just as our bodies get hungry just before a regular mealtime, your body will anticipate the feelings of stillness and calm that are associated with meditation, and this will make it easier to focus.

3. Let go of expectations and self-doubt

Meditation is different for everybody and what works for one person won’t necessarily work for another.

It can also be different for the same person on two different days.

Try not to focus on how you think meditation should be, as that will cause unnecessary worry and will be counterproductive.

If you’ve had a particularly difficult or busy day and are finding it hard to focus your mind, don’t beat yourself up and quit. Instead, just use the time to simply sit and breathe and give yourself a chance to unwind from the stress of the day.

Meditation doesn’t always have to be a huge spiritual experience; sometimes it can be just an opportunity to get some peace and quiet.

So let go of any expectations and self-doubt, and just go with the flow.

4. Don’t try to control your mind

Our brains are complex organs and trying to control our thoughts is often a fruitless task.

When you meditate, you are sitting still and silent and not being distracted by the business of life.

This gives you the opportunity to really focus on your thoughts, and you may be surprised where they lead.

Often when we are meditating, our thoughts can surprise us.

Without the constant noise and distraction in everyday life, we have time to notice and acknowledge things we may ignore otherwise. The key is not to try to control your mind; instead, let the thoughts and feelings flow, and accept them as they come.

Though some may be surprising, they are important and need to be acknowledged.

5. Keep a meditation journal

A good way to keep track of your meditation is by keeping a journal.

Once you’ve finished your meditation, take a few minutes to write down the thoughts and feelings that came into your mind during.

This is a good way to reflect on what your subconscious deems important in your life, and what you should focus on.

Further Reading