Meditation is widely recommended as a health-boosting practiceand for good reason. It provides many positive benefits, from reducing symptoms of stress to relieving physical complaints like headaches and even enhancing immunity to illness. Between the health benefits and the fact that it's free and requires as few as five minutes, it's easy to see why meditation has become a popular complement to conventional medicine.

Though it can be practiced in different ways, a few common threads run through virtually all meditation techniques:

Researchers generally classify meditation techniques into two different categories: concentrative and non-concentrative. Concentrative techniques involve focusing on a particular object that's generally outside of oneself such as a candle's flame, the sound of an instrument, or a mantra. Non-concentrative meditation, on the other hand, can include a broader focus such as the sounds in your environment, internal body states, and even your own breathing. Note that there can be overlap with these techniquesmeditation can be both concentrative and non-concentrative.

There are many different ways to meditate. Think of the following categories of meditation techniques as a jumping-off point to understand the practices and differences among some of the main options, rather than an exhaustive list.

This involves sitting in a comfortable position and trying to quiet your mind by thinking of nothing. Its not always easy to do if you dont already practice it. But a good way to begin is to think of yourself as an "observer of your thoughts," noticing what the narrative voice in your head says but not engaging it. As thoughts materialize in your mind, just let them go.

With focused meditation, you focus on something with intention without engaging your thoughts on it. You can zero in on something visual, like a statue; something auditory, like a metronome or recording of ocean waves; something constant, like your own breathing; or a simple concept, like "unconditional compassion."

Some people find it easier to do this than to focus on nothing, but the idea is the samestaying in the present moment, circumventing the constant stream of commentary from your conscious mind, and allowing yourself to slip into an altered state of consciousness.

Activity-oriented meditation is a form of mindfulness that combines meditation with activities you may already enjoy, or with new activities that help you focus on the present. With this type of meditation, you engage in a repetitive activity or one where you can get "in the zone" and experience "flow." Again, this quiets the mind and allows your brain to shift. Activities like gardening, creating artwork, or practicing yoga can all be effective forms of meditation.

Mindfulness can be a form of meditation that, like activity-oriented meditation, doesnt really look like meditation. Mindfulness simply involves staying in the present moment rather than thinking about the future or the past. (Again, this can be more difficult than it seems!) Focusing on sensations you feel in your body is one way to stay "in the now." Focusing on emotions and where you feel them in your bodynot examining why you feel them, but just experiencing them as sensationsis another.

Though medication isn't specific to any one religion, it can be a spiritual practice. Many people experience meditation as a form of prayerthe form where God "speaks," rather than just listensto seek guidance or inner wisdom once the mind is quiet.

You can meditate on a singular question until an answer comes, or meditate to clear your mind and accept whatever comes that day. Many people also practice kundalini meditation for mind and body connection.

Whichever method you choose, keep in mind that a consistent practiceeven just quieting the mind for five minutes a dayis more useful than sessions that are longer but infrequent. In the end, the best meditation technique and the one that will help you gain the most positive benefits is one you can stick to.

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5 Meditation Techniques to Get You Started - Verywell Mind