This might sound like a bold claim, but meditation is the sole reason I'm still relatively sane. That being said, I wrestled with the "rules" and internal questions ("Am I even doing it right?") for a long time. If it wasn't for these products that make meditation easier, I'm guessing that the frustration alone would've been enough to force me into giving up my practice.
The reason I love these products so much is because they taught me one essential concept: there are so many ways to find mindfulness in your day to day life. People assume that meditation is sitting cross-legged on the side of a mountain for several hours with your eyes closed, but that's only one tactic. In reality, mindfulness is being consciously present wherever you are, whatever you're doing. If you can get your mind to observe your current thoughts, senses, or bodily sensations, you're doing it right. If you want to actively watch your coffee as it drips from the Keurig into your travel mug, congratulations — you're practicing a form of meditation.
That being said, these surprisingly genius products make it a little easier to center your attention because they engage your concentration and your senses. If you're looking to reap all the scientific benefits of meditation, but don't quite know where to start, try incorporating these brilliant items into your daily routine.
1This Super Portable Sound Machine That Doubles As A Bluetooth Speaker
LectroFan Wireless Sound Machine, $35, Amazon
While you can technically meditate on any sound that comes up (even the so-called "irritating" ones), sometimes it's easier to block it all out. The LectroFan wireless sound machine is a genius and portable tool that comes programmed with five fan sounds, four white noises, and one ocean. However, you can also use it as a Bluetooth speaker, because it syncs to the music on your phone. It's also got a super long charge and an innovative swiveling top so you can direct the speaker any which way.
2This All-Inclusive Coloring Set That Lowers Your Stress Levels
Mandalas Adult Coloring Book Set, $15, Amazon
Mandalas have been used for centuries to cultivate mindfulness in many different spiritualities because they engage the creative portion of your brain. This Mandalas Adult Coloring Book Set comes with 48 single-sided intricate designs, a sharpener, and 24 bright colored pencils with soft lead that blends easily and colors wonderfully. Basically, it's an awesome way to center your mind, cultivate creativity, and blow off some steam after a stressful day.
3This Traditional Tibetan Singing Bowl That Comes With Modern Add-Ons
Resonance Imports Tibetan Singing Bowl, $35, Amazon
For some people, sound is the easiest way to engage and center the mind. The Resonance Imports Tibetan Singing Bowl comes with a traditional hand-painted five inch bowl and a wooden mallet that "makes an amazing sound," according to reviewers. However, it also includes the modern benefits of a complimentary E-book and meditation music to help your practice along.
4This Genius Tracker That Reminds You To Take A Breather When You're Stressed
Spire Mindfulness Tracker, $130, Amazon
This incredibly brilliant tool is called the Spire Mindfulness Tracker, and it works with your iPhone or Android to bring peacefulness to your day. It measures your breathing, provides feedback, and reminds you to breathe in the moments when you need it most. It can also track your steps, provide short meditations, and last up to seven days on one charge. It's also totally weatherproof and pretty durable.
5Utilize The Benefits Of Essential Oils With This Long-Running Diffuser
OliveTech Essential Oil Diffuser, $46, Amazon
I'm a huge believer in essential oils when it comes to impacting my mood, body, and wellness. This OliveTech Essential Oil Diffuser emits your favorite blends into the air while simultaneously humidifying. In addition to its zen wood grain design, it also has a color-changing LED light, an automatic timer, and holds enough water to run for up to twelve hours at a time.
6This Journal That's Specifically Designed To Cultivate Mindfulness
Do One Thing Every Day That Centers You, $11, Amazon
Loads of people feel instantly lost when they enter meditation without any guidance. Do One Thing Every Day That Centers You is a mindfulness journal that offers prompts and advice that cultivate gratitude and presence in the current moment. Needless to say, reviewers are thrilled with how easy it's become to center their minds: "In LOVE with this journal. It makes me take a step away from the day, and focus on the good. So many different exercises throughout this journal, from physical exercises to simple questions. I'm so glad I have this!"
7Make Your Meditation Practice As Comfortable And Supported As Possible
Zen Naturals Zafu Meditation Pillow, $24, Amazon
The unconscious brain is always wandering, and it's really easy for it to get hung up on the negatives. It helps to make your body and space as comfortable as possible, and this Zen Naturals Zafu Meditation Pillow can help. It's specifically designed to lift and straighten your spine while taking pressure off your hips and knees, and it's got a firm organic cotton filling to support anyone. It's also got a removable washable cover and a handle for easy travel.
8A Simple Way To Engage Both Your Body And Mind
T Spheres Perk Up, $35, Amazon
One of the easiest ways to bring yourself into the current moment is to draw awareness to your bodily sensations. T Spheres are portable massagers that stimulate pressure points and ease tired muscles, but they're infused with real essential oils to engage your mind as well as your body. These ones, "Perk Up," are made with peppermint and pink grapefruit to improve circulation and concentration.
9This Weird Acupressure Tool That's Been Called A "Magical Stabby Mat"
Zensufu Acupressure Set, $30, Amazon
This weird but genius Zensufu Acupressure Set mimics the benefits of an acupuncture session. How? It's got thousands of tiny points that press into your back and neck, relaxing your muscles, stimulating pressure points, and relieving tension in both your mind and body. This one comes with a flat mat, neck roll, and vinyl carrying bag. "Lay on this directly on the skin and breath through the first 30 seconds of pain," says one reviewer. "Soon the pain turns to warmth and the warmth radiates through your body in pure euphoria. I love it."
10This Tea That Uses Organic Herbs To Heighten Awareness
Third Eye Chakra Tea, $9, Amazon
This Third Eye Chakra Tea comes with 18 bags of USDA-certified organic herbs that are specially blended to heighten your mind and improve your sense of presence. On top of that, it's caffeine-free and just plain tastes amazing. "This tea is the best one that I've ever tasted in my life, and I've been a tea lover forever," says one reviewer. "The smell is so calming and the taste of it is just wonderful; it really gets you into that meditative state it promises."
11Focus On The Energy Instead Of The Pain During Your Yoga Practice
Incline Fit Extra Thick Yoga Mat, $24, Amazon
Yoga is hands down my favorite fitness activity, because I'm getting all the benefits of exercise along with the mindfulness of meditation. However, with a standard mat, I'm focusing on the aching in my knees and wrists instead of the energy moving throughout my body. I recently bought myself an Incline Fit extra thick yoga mat, and it's a full half inch of cushy, cloud-like comfort underneath my body when I practice. It's also got great traction, it's made from eco-friendly materials, it's offered in 11 bright colors, and it comes with a carrying strap.
12The Book That Changed Countless Lives In A No-Effort Audio Form
The Power Of Now Audio CD, $16, Amazon
It sounds cheesy, but this book changed the way I look at mindfulness. If you're not a reader, The Power Of Now audio CD brings all of Eckhart Tolle's best-selling insights to you in an accessible form that you can absorb during your commute, while cleaning, or while working out. It teaches you how to differentiate between your unconscious mind (the cyclical negative thoughts that most people identify with), and the peaceful consciousness that exists underneath all the clutter.
13The Purest Of Ingredients Blended Together To Induce Clarity
The Pure Candle Clarity, $30, Amazon
Just like prepping your space at night can create sleep-inducing associations in the brain, preparing your room for meditation can help your mind automatically settle into a state of relaxation. The Pure Candle in Clarity is made with only the purest high-quality ingredients, like soy wax, a cotton wick, and genuine essential oils. This blend has Litsea Cubeba and peppermint to engage and center your mind. It also burns for up to 60 hours, creates an ethereal atmosphere, and has reviewers saying, "I found myself much more alert and attuned to the task at hand."
14This Voice-Activated Guided Meditation Teacher In Your Own Home
I use my Echo Dot for everything from checking the weather to turning on my lights, but there are also tons of voice-enabled Alexa skills that can be used for mindfulness, too. Every day before I get off my yoga mat, I ask Alexa to lead a five minute meditation, complete with calming nature sounds. She can also launch meditation facts, daily prayers, sleep and relaxation sounds, and anti-stress programs, all without you having to lift a finger.
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