Meditation can save you money, peacefully

I’d been doing so well. I had a good exercise routine. I was living within my means and paying off my debt. I was basically a new woman. Then I got busy. Before I knew it, my savings and exercise routines have gone out the window and I was back to my previous incarnation.

It occurs to me in hindsight that my life will always be characterised by these periods of stress, despite my new mantra that I will never let it happen again. This time, however, I am resolved that I do not need to hurt my bank balance every time it goes haywire.

Here’s how meditation, organisation and a bit of serenity is going to save me money:

Feng shui

Feng shui has several ways of improving your finances. Some aspects of the belief are practical, for instance, that clutter should be removed from a room. It is suggested you sell your clutter and learn to live with less, which will mean more money in your pocket. The layout of your room is very important in whether money can flow into your life, or will flow out of it too quickly.

The health benefits

There are health benefits; If you meditate, proponents suggest you lead a healthier lifestyle. You feel calmer and more relaxed without having to fork out the arm and a leg it costs to get a counseling session or time at a day spa. If practiced consistently, your health will reflect the improved calm of your mind and you can kiss all those doctor’s bills a fond farewell.

You consume less

Meditation addicts claim that meditation takes away the need to over-consume, which means you spend less on trivial things. There is even a free guided meditation about consuming less and saving money available here, http://www.lightisreal.com/freeguidedmeditation.html

Stress makes you unproductive

Despite what people tell you about how a deadline is their best motivation, no one likes being stressed all the time. You run from one thing to another without consideration or reflection. Meditation can give you ten minutes out, which in turn allows you to think more clearly and constructively about what you need to do. It also improves your goal setting and achieving. Simply put, I really should have started doing this before exams.

So, how do you meditate?

Well, lots of people do it differently and there are ten million guides on the Internet. One of the simplest techniques is centred on the idea of mindfulness. You can practice it wherever you are, and for however long you can spare. In a general sense, it’s about being in the present moment without worrying what’s just happened or the ten million things you need to do.

But if you’re someone who likes instructions, here’s how to do it:

• Sit in a comfortable position
• Concentrate on the breathe going in and out, and how each part of your body feels
• If your mind wanders (you short attention span Generation Y, I’m looking at you), bring it back to the rhythm of the breath.
• Sleeping does not count as being mindful, though it always very enjoyable.

It’s pretty straightforward, and people swear by it. It’ll save you money, but it’ll also give you peace of mind. You can’t put a price on that.

Do you meditate? Do you find it gives you peace of mind, or just an opportunity to have a bit of shut-eye?

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