Meditation: basics for beginners

In short: Meditation is the deliberate directing of attention, for example to the breath. Even a few minutes a day can reduce stress and improve concentration.

In more detail: There are many forms, from mindfulness to body journeys and mantra meditation.

In detail

• Getting started: Sit comfortably, close your eyes, watch your breath.
• Wandering: Thoughts keep coming, you gently return to the breath.
• Duration: Begin with five minutes and increase slowly.
• Mindfulness: Perceive the present without judgement.
• Body scan: Let attention travel through the body.
• Effect: Can improve relaxation and sleep (stress-abbauen-und-entspannen, yoga-grundlagen).
• Note: For mental illness, meditation is no substitute for medical or therapeutic treatment.