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Although studying promises many of us of a brighter tomorrow, let’s face it that schools can sometimes be daunting and challenging to cope up with. Whether you are going to Ivy League schools or a local state college, you are naturally surrounded by stress and pressure. But how meditation can help you in your academic life?

Moving meditation or guided meditation works best for all types of learners. Slow-paced and controlled physical activities while listening to an audio guide on how to meditate can decrease your anxiety level and increase your concentration, productivity and performance.

Moving and guided meditation have their exceptional characteristics that work best for individuals that require better focus and performance. You do not need any specific meditation mantras for this except slow movement of your body, combined with deep breathing practice.

Most students lack of physical activities as a result of their rigorous students. Moving meditation suggests that individuals should incorporated this kind of meditation with their daily physical activities from walking to climbing stairs. Several studies confirm the mental, physical and overall benefits of 

Many learners are spending most of their time reading through their notes. This means that most of their hours are spent either in the classroom or their study if they need extra hours for finishing their essays. While these places are good places to practice focus meditation, you may also opt to stretching your reflexes while unwinding your mind outdoor.

7 Effective Meditation Guides for Students

1. Identify your meditation place
2. Learn the basics of meditations
3. Incorporate meditation in your daily routine
4. Exercise both your mind and body 
5. Combine guided and moving meditation
6. Prioritize and plan things ahead
7. Use guided meditation apps

Identify your meditation place

Based on the experience of the best meditation practitioners, the best place to meditate is in your mind. That means that despite the noise and distractions around you, your main goal if you want to take meditation seriously is to practice being calm and focused wherever you are.

Well, let’s leave that to the experts. For students and beginners like me, there are places that are accessible and convenient around you. You do not need to spend much time and effort going to these places.

7 Meditation Places for Students

1. University grounds or quadrangle
2. Campus Library
3. Gym or sports center
4. Swimming pool
5. Chapel or prayer room
6. In a car
7. Bedroom

Learn the basics of meditations

For many students, it will be helpful to spend a couple of hours the basics of meditation. There are simple meditation practices that students can easily follow.

1. Spend 10-20 minutes to engage in meditation every day.
2. Warm-up by walking or moving slowly.
3. If you are not comfortable standing or moving, you may follow sitting positions.
4. Close your eyes and free your mind.
5. Inhale slowly for about 4-5 seconds and exhale for a count of 5-6 seconds.
6. Find the breathing that works for you.
7. Make sure to exhale longer than you inhale.
8. Say your mantras or create any sounds.
9. Put on your headphone and listen to meditation songs.
10. Use guided meditation on your apps if necessary.

Incorporate meditation in your daily routine

In order for your meditation to be really effective, you have to spend 10-20 minutes of your time. Add your meditation goals and progress in your phone calendar.

For students who have problems with time, do not make excuses by saying you do not have time to meditate. The meditation guides we have suggested here are enjoyably and can be part of your daily routine. The first thing that you have to do if you want to begin meditating is to plan your days ahead. How to add meditation in your daily routine?

1. Plan your days ahead
2. Prioritize things
3. Identify all of your daily activities
4. Find the activity that is the least in your priority.
5. Meditate during this time.
6. Wear your earphone.
7. Practice proper breathing.
8. Say your mantra and meditate for 10-20 minutes.

Exercise both your mind and body 

According to many studies, students are suffering from stress-related issues as a result of their studies. Many health experts are suggesting that they have to engage in physical activities in order to combat this problem. Despite schools and universities attempt to solve these problems, the number of students who is experiencing stress, anxiety and depression is still growing.

The main reason for this is that not many students have not had any ideas on how to apply any meditation or mindfulness in their physical activities. Exercise is proven to be effective in promoting overall health. This proven analysis can be best attained if they combine with  meditaton. Students of all ages need to realize that in order for them to make use of their exercises by combining meditation. How to combine exercise and meditation?

1. Choose your exercise (swimming, running, walking)
2. Choose a time where the place is less busy
3. Before or after your really exercise, spend 10-20 minutes for moving meditation.
4. Make sure to move very slowly
5. Once your body and mind are ready, close your eyes
6. Take a deep breath and exhale slowly
7. Say your mantras (repeated words or sounds)

Combine guided and moving meditation

Guided meditation is intended for individuals who have no or less background about meditation and those who do not want to spend much time searching how to meditate. They perfectly work for students whether part-time or full-time. You do not need an actual guide to do it, all you need is a nice pair of earphones and your meditation guide apps. After a long hard working day, listening to your guide by simply putting on your headphone is both practical and therapeutic for busy and stressed people.

Combine this guided meditation with basic and slow physical movement towards a moving meditation. Moving meditation alone is therapeutic and relaxing as you are warming up or cooling down your body. The movements should be less complicated and slow-moving blended with very slow breathing. Close your eyes, breathe in, follow your body flow and breathe out.

It is not necessary to combine both of these meditation types, however, for beginners like students a guided meditation will boost the effectivity of their meditation journey.

Prioritize and plan things ahead

Just like any skills that you desire to master, plan things ahead is the key to success. The most challenging part in meditation based on my experience is to stick to it by doing it on a regular basis. That means you really have to meditate in spite of your busy schedule.

As laid out in the previous discussion, you will need to make it part of your daily habit if you want to take meditation seriously. Actually, it’s not that difficult as you just need at least 10 minutes of your time.

Our suggestion is for you to keep a journal and record all of your schedule in advance. During your busy day, find your most relaxing time during the day (I am pretty sure there is.) Once identified, include 10 minutes for meditation and mindfulness practice. Stick to your plan and it will also work out for you.  

Use guided meditation apps

There are many apps that you can choose from if you feel like meditating on your own is not working at all. But at least before you try to used meditation apps, spend the first two weeks meditating alone without depending on any apps as it will teach the basic principles and disciplines of meditation.

What meditation types work for students?

Moving, guided and mantra are the best types of meditation as they require less time, effort and space. Moving meditation promotes physical and physiological well being while calming and soothing mind while guided meditation teaches someone the whole process of meditation.

Mantra meditation is a good way to release stress and tensions by your vibrating vocal chords while expanding your diaphragm through slow and deep breathing.