Body scan meditation is a mindfulness practice that increases awareness of bodily sensations and the mind-body connection. It can help reduce stress and improve mood. It involves paying attention to sensations in different parts of the body, such as tension, relaxation, warmth, coolness, tingling or heaviness. You can perform this meditation while sitting, lying down or in other positions, depending on what\u2019s most comfortable for you. It takes anywhere from 20-45 minutes to complete.<\/p>\n
The key to practicing body scan is being open and curious to what you\u2019re experiencing. It\u2019s normal for your attention to wander throughout the meditation, but when this happens, simply note that your thoughts have slipped away and gently shift your focus back to exploring sensations in each part of your body.<\/p>\n
The beauty of body scan is that it helps you make friends with your body. Too often we perceive our bodies as the enemy, blaming them for pain or discomfort. But the truth is that your body is a remarkable organism that\u2019s doing the best it can to support you. It\u2019s not your fault that it sometimes causes discomfort, but rather the result of other emotional states you may be dealing with. Learning to accept this is emotionally calming and physically healing.<\/p>\n