Teentalk

Do you often mood swings and endless arguments which give you sleepless nights? Are you looking for ways to improve concentration? Then reading this article may be a good idea.

We all want a happy and a healthy life. Knowing how to meditate can give us a jump start to accessing the many benefits of meditation. Our brains are tired, and the youth need opportunities where they can take time out each day "unplugged" to relax and focus. Meditation offers this break and helps teenagers to function more effectively and clearly.

Benefits of meditation comprises of:

• Reduces stress, anxiety and even depression
• Improves grades and performance in academics
• Increases attention span and concentration. Meditation teaches us that it’s possible to direct their attention at one thing at a time, and that it actually feels great not to be distracted
• Changes the brain in ways that protect against mental illness and improve control over emotions. Deal with grief and other difficult emotions
• Increases compassion and empathy. The good news is that meditation can bolster feelings of security, empathy and inner stability, and this, in turn, builds compassion, joy and self-esteem.
• Improves sleep as it helps in falling asleep, especially when practiced before bedtime
• Helps in gaining self-awareness and become more confident. The confidence develops naturally when we learn from our meditation practice that we don’t have to react to all of our thoughts and emotions – we can choose which ones merit our attention and response 
• On a more subtle level, we can learn patience, kindness, acceptance, and generosity from meditation. Meditation strengthens relationship with inner selves, your mind/body connection, and development of your personality—all of which make you better able to lead more positive lives and make positive choices for yourselves.

How to try out:

1. Deep Breathing: One of the most effective ways to initiate into meditation is to begin with deep breathing exercises. It helps the mind to focus. To perform this meditation, sit comfortably in a quiet room. Close your eyes and inhale and exhale slowly. Allow your negative thoughts and worries to float out of your mind.

2. Mantra meditation: Focusing on a mantra will keep your mind occupied for a while. Clear your mind, relax, and breathe slowly while repeating the mantra. You can repeat the mantra aloud or in your mind.

3. Visualization technique: Take a few minutes to work with the breath as the object of meditation.  In your mind’s eye, visualize about a pleasant scene, or a fragrance or someone you like. Notice how it feels to be in their presence, and any happiness, warmth, or tenderness that they evoke.

If you are interested in trying mindfulness, then set aside some time to be present and observant. Your can practice this in a quiet room or outside taking a walk or engaging in some other peaceful activity. The idea is to observe the present moment. Rather than trying to clear your mind, as in meditation, you are trying to pay attention to the here and now. You might notice how your body feels, what noises you hear, the comfort of your environment, or what smells are present.

Exploring the idea of meditation is worth the effort. Be encouraged to try meditation just for five minutes a day for three weeks and then decide if the practice is right for you or not.

Teenagers of today will become leader of the future and they need to be centered, strong and good lateral thinkers. For this, they need to be encouraged to practice meditation and access the untapped potential within.

Whether your loved one passed away or your relationship ended or you failed an important exam, we feel dumbfounded, numb, helpless maybe even hopeless. During this time, we feel like life is taking us in a direction we didn’t think it would. It simply means you are going through an incubation period and transformation. The key is not to get stuck in your current lost state and to tap into your creative power to create a life you love.

Thankfully, there is a way out. There are many ways. Consider giving these a try.

Acknowledge and accept how you’re feeling

Denying our emotions usually just leads to self-destructive behaviour. When a person acknowledges their feeling of being lost emotionally, they can then attend to it. Remind yourself that it’s OK to feel sad, disappointed and helpless. These are natural consequences when our life path changes abruptly in a direction we did not want it to. Write about how you’re feeling and why you’re feeling this way. Describe your physical sensations. Document your thoughts. Get it all down on paper.

Pamper yourself 

Soothe yourself with practices such as deep breathing, meditation, and yoga and be kind to yourself. Remind yourself that although you may feel your circumstances are out of your control, you can still control how you react to them. Shower, shave, comb your hair, and style it. Paint your nails, and put on a good pair of jeans. Look in the mirror and remind yourself what it’s like to feel good in your own skin.

Keep yourself busy in what makes you feel good

Any movement you make when you feel lost will feel like progress. Find an album you’ve never heard of before, and listen from start to finish, Cook yourself a really nice meal or schedule a workout class you’ve wanted to try. Call someone in your family who makes you feel secure, safe, and happy.

Understand that change happens in the mess 

The truth is that we often can’t feel better until we have a little meltdown, or a big one. Change means shifting into something different, and to do that we may need to let go of some things and allow them melt away. This can get messy.

Ask for help 

There are so many people in the world whose purpose it is to help people like you. Reach out and ask for help. You don't have to figure this out all on your own and sometimes simply having a chat with someone can provide the insight you need to move forward with ease. Whether it's a life coach, mentor, friend, counselor, and be open to the guidance and tools that come your way.

If you need to talk to someone and get some help as well, you can chat with our Teentalk Expert between 11 am – 8 pm on our website or drop an offline message to [email protected]

Even though it might be painful and frustrating, feeling lost can become an opportunity to grow. Feeling lost can redirect us toward what really matters to us. It can inspire us to take a trip and relish new experiences. Feeling lost can be the first step in creating a more fulfilling life. It can be the first step in reconnecting to ourselves. Give yourself the space and resources to find what you need.