Interesting. Sell us on the benefits of daily mindful meditation.

Science has shown that a daily practice of mindfulness meditation creates so many positive physiological and mental changes in individuals, including:

Stress and anxiety reduction
Lowering blood pressure and heart rate
Increased creativity and memory
Enhanced immune function (so fewer sick days)
Creates more awareness of self and the present moment-to-moment life experiences

Are there any common pitfalls people fall foul of when they try to meditate? How can we avoid them?

People think they should do it for long periods of time a day: Not so. Start short but start. Create the habit of meditation. The benefits are in doing it regularly. Longer meditations can be added as you feel ready.

People say they can’t silence their mind: that’s so normal. The mind is a wandering mind. Forget about silencing it. Rather focus on creating a more relaxed relationship with your thoughts in meditation. Before you know it, wonderful gaps will start appearing in your thoughts and you will just feel the peace and calm you have been looking for.

People think we have to do it at a certain time: Again, not necessarily important. The practice has to fit into your lifestyle. Do it when you get the most benefit out of it personally.

Lastly, people assume that we have to sit in a certain position: I would challenge that and say, again, let it fit in with your own preference. I know of people that sit, lie down and even walk when meditating. The benefits are still powerful.

One Good Thing: why a daily mindful meditation practice might be more doable than you think