Meditation for Concentration: Overview & Types of Meditation to Increase Concentration

Today’s digital-centric, modern world that we live in appears to have made our lives busier than ever before, with an infinite number of distractions making it increasingly hard to stay focused on the things that are important to us. Furthermore, in a society that is essentially built on a high output and achievement system, multiple tasks often compete for our attention at the same time, limiting our ability to fully immerse ourselves in the current moment.

On the outer edge, multitasking may appear to increase productivity, but it actually decreases concentration as well as efficiency. So, how can you teach your mind to concentrate on one thing at a time?

Meditation is one method that can be utilised for increasing focus and efficiency, making it simple to accomplish goals and prioritise tasks. Practicing meditation is an effective and powerful approach that has various meditation benefits, such as stress reduction, brain health improvement, and mental well-being enhancement. Being fully focused all through a meditation session can be difficult due to the common challenge of tuning out distractions.
Let’s dive into some meditation tips for increasing our focus and concentration.

Various Types of Meditation to Improve Concentration and Focus

While there are numerous different types of meditation, they all have a common end goal: to help you gain focus at any time of day, stay focused on your objectives, and increase productivity.

Having said that, a few may be more effective for increasing concentration than others. You can choose the meditative techniques that appeal to you from the list below.

• Meditation for mindfulness

  The objective of mindfulness is to focus entirely on a single point of focus, such as your breath, a physical object, body sensations, or a specific activity. Release any emotions or thoughts that come up while doing so without becoming carried away, and then, return your attention to the main focus of your choosing.

• Zen meditation

  This meditation involves focusing your attention on your body posture and breath and letting you throw yourself into self-reflection to increase concentration and mental clarity.

• Walking meditation

  In this type of meditation, you need to walk slowly and mindfully while concentrating on your breath or body sensations and the movements of your feet, arms, and legs. It can help improve concentration and focus.

• Meditation with focused breathing

  Counting one’s breathing cycles may help people who have trouble concentrating focus. Pay attention to your breathing, especially how it moves through and out of your belly. Feel the expansion and contraction of your lungs. Take note of the sensation of air entering and exiting your nose and mouth. This practice instils a constant sense of alertness and presence.

• Meditation using mantras

  Incorporating a mantra into your meditation practice can aid in improving your concentration span. Simply repeating single-syllable sounds may also help improve concentration.

Tips for improving focus and concentration during Meditation

Meditation may appear simple theoretically; however, in practice, it may be difficult when your mind wanders continuously, especially for those who are new to the practice. As you strengthen your meditation muscles, you will notice that this process becomes easier with time. Until then, here are some meditation tips that can help you in improving your focus and concentration during meditation. By achieving the ability to remain focused and concentrated in a meditation session, you can gain the same level of focus and concentration in your daily life.

1. Make yourself comfortable

   Take a comfortable position, be it seated in a chair, laying down on the floor/ground or even  the bed or couch. You may additionally use blankets, cushions, candles, and aromatherapy to enhance your space and create an atmosphere suitable for meditation.
   Deepen your breathing and loosen up your shoulders to relax your body. Take note of any areas that might be carrying tension and start releasing this tension slowly.

2. Start with shorter sessions

   It is quite fine if you are having trouble staying focused during your meditation session. Do not put an excessive amount of stress on yourself; the idea is to always be conscious of when your mind begins to wander and to redirect your focus back to the chosen focal point.
   As a newbie, it is recommended that you begin with short sessions of less than 5 minutes prior to gradually moving to longer sessions as you gain experience.

3. Make use of guided meditation

   When you follow guided meditation, it can help you stay on track. Listening to an instructor’s voice leads you through the session and can help keep your mind from wandering.
   To make things easy, you can also use apps to follow a guided practice. With the help of exquisitely crafted guided meditations and their distinctive audio–visual experience, you can achieve better concentration and focus to help and support you through your journey.

4. Make use of beaded garlands

   Beaded rosaries, or malas, can help you concentrate on the current task. Put your focus on rolling one bead at a time with each breath, mantra, or affirmation. One of the simplest methods of meditation is to use malas. You can carry the mala with you all day long so that it can be used when you feel you need it to keep you in the present and alert.

5. Choose an appropriate time

   There is no ideal or correct time to meditate; it is a purely personal choice based on the daily regimen and temperament. Some individuals might find that beginning their day with focused meditation is great for seizing the day, whereas others may prefer to practice clearing their minds before they return home or as a part of their soothing night-time ritual.
   To make the most of your meditation session, no matter what hour of the day, it must be free of interruptions and distractions.

6. Don’t be worried about failing

   Try not to berate yourself for not keeping constant focus on your goal; we are all humans, and it is perfectly normal for our minds to be distracted occasionally.
   When you notice your mind wandering, react empathetically to your inner self by showing gratitude for realising when your mind goes to wander and redirecting yourself to the present moment.

7. Focus on breathing

   Counting your own breathing cycles may help those who have trouble concentrating.
   Intentionally watch your breath, especially how it moves through and out of your belly. Feel your lungs contracting and expanding. Take note of the sensation of air entering your nose and exiting your mouth. This practice cultivates a constant feeling of being present and alert.

Takeaway

Meditation can be a powerful tool for increasing focus and concentration. You can train your brain to stay focused and attentive even in the middle of distractions by choosing a comfortable and peaceful space, sitting with correct posture, concentrating on your breath, using a mantra, practicing regularly, and being patient. Begin with a few minutes per day and steadily increase the duration of your practice; you may be taken aback by how quickly your concentration and focus improve.