Let’s face it, the last few years have been rough. Even if you are finally feeling like life is getting back to “normal”, “normal” has turned into a strange mix of happiness, worry and dread. On the bright side, at least it’s worry and dread minus virtual school for four kids under one roof while you are on a conference call!

It’s OK if you still aren’t feeling like yourself even though it feels like the world is moving along without you. You are certainly not alone. If you are finding yourself searching for some peace amid your racing thoughts you might want to consider meditation.

If you are unfamiliar with meditation, the word may conjure up images of yogis and Buddhas sitting still for hours at a time. You are thinking that meditation and parenting cannot go together. Whatever your rationale for not trying meditation, here is the one truth: it works.

Meditation reduces anxiety, increases creativity, lowers blood pressure and in the words of Dan Harris, can make us “10% happier.” There is actual documented evidence that meditation affects the brain. This is not just the brains of visitors to ashrams in India. It is the brains of ordinary people who live in regular houses and meditate on their living room floor before they head out to work for the day. 

Meditation benefits anybody who does it. And it’s not nearly as hard as everyone thinks it is. By following these 5 simple steps, you will see that even an ordinary person like you can meditate and still get ready for work, drive the kids to school, make dinner and throw in a load of laundry:

Try to pick the same time every day

There is not a right or wrong time to meditate. Although early morning is a popular time, it is not because it won’t work at a different time. It’s just that morning is the quietest time of the day and the time when you will be more alert and less likely to fall asleep. Your main objective just needs to be to pick a time that works with your life when you will be most likely to actually do it. Whatever that time is, set an alarm as a reminder to prioritize meditation.

Find a quiet place

For people who don’t live alone, this is the best argument for meditating in the morning. When else is your home going to be quiet, other than the middle of the night, when you are more likely to fall asleep? Again, there is no right place to meditate. You do not need a babbling brook or a Buddha there with you. While it might be easier said than done, you only need one thing for this step...quiet.

Get comfortable

There are no rules for what to wear or how to sit when meditating. Pick clothes that are comfortable and not distracting. You won’t be able to meditate if you are thinking about how tight your pants are or how itchy your socks feel. You also do not need to sit in a specific position.  Just make sure you aren’t in a position where you will be likely to fall asleep. Are you sensing a sleep theme here?

Set a timer

Setting a timer allows you to take your schedule out of the equation. You don’t have to worry about being late for work or starting dinner too late. The most important thing to remember about this step is to be realistic. Start with 5 minutes. That’s it. Stick to 5 minutes until you feel comfortable and then increase it by a minute each time.

I promise you just 5 minutes will change your life!

Take the pressure off

The last step in starting your meditation practice may sound easy but it is, by far, the hardest to do. It is also the reason most people who want to try meditation never get as far as attempting it. There is a misconception out there that the goal of meditation is to have a blank mind. The problem is that a living person cannot have a blank mind. The purpose of our brain is to think and that is what it does - every single second of the day. 

 Your brain during meditation is no different than your brain at any other time of the day. It is thinking. Instead of trying to remove all thoughts from your mind while meditating, accept that you will have them. Instead of getting frustrated with the thoughts, accept them as they come. This time, however, rather than going down a rabbit whole with every random thought you have, simply let them pass, tell yourself to “come back” to your breath, and keep going.

Meditating is not easy but it really is simple. You don’t need anything special: just your breath. The benefits are endless, regardless of how long you do it. So grab a timer, find a quiet and comfortable spot, and see where your practice can take you.