I had a bad back before trying meditation so it was doubly bad.
I have a trick for you but quieting your mind won’t necessarily make your life better. I would instead encourage you to look at “walking meditation”. Forest bathing, cycling, walking. Tai chi is remarkably good. A lot of people with emotional issues are detached from their bodies, and part of healing is accepting that “you” is both your mind and your body.
Alright, caveat served: count your breaths. Count to ten, then start over. This gives your brain something to do, connecting the math and verbal centers but without triggering deeper thoughts. You will catch your mind has wandered when you realize you just counted 13. Just stop and start over, don’t get into judging yourself. It happens to everyone. Just go back to 1. You can analyze the sitting afterward, not in the middle.
If you find yourself breathing in on an even number, or out on an odd number, you've gotten lost. No problem, just reset to 1. Got to ten? You win! Also, reset to 1.
Very useful and simple technique for calm and focus.
I have a trick for you but quieting your mind won’t necessarily make your life better. I would instead encourage you to look at “walking meditation”. Forest bathing, cycling, walking. Tai chi is remarkably good. A lot of people with emotional issues are detached from their bodies, and part of healing is accepting that “you” is both your mind and your body.
Alright, caveat served: count your breaths. Count to ten, then start over. This gives your brain something to do, connecting the math and verbal centers but without triggering deeper thoughts. You will catch your mind has wandered when you realize you just counted 13. Just stop and start over, don’t get into judging yourself. It happens to everyone. Just go back to 1. You can analyze the sitting afterward, not in the middle.
But seriously, tai chi is fucking amazing.