I’ve tried some different forms of meditation before (counting breaths, for example) and found them frustrating. I felt like I wasn’t doing them right. I couldn’t keep my mind focused. I couldn’t keep from fidgeting.

For the last week, I’ve been meditating for 10 minutes a day and I’ve collected some good advice on it. Here’s what’s been helping me:

• Get Comfortable: We think of sitting on a mat as meditation, but that’s just one approach. Someone told me a few months back that the position of your head is the most important thing in meditation—too far back and you’re thinking or remembering, too far forward and you’re sleeping. Try to keep your eye-level parallel to the ground.
• Take Some Deep Breaths: Take three slow, deep breaths before you begin.
• Use a Timer: This may or may not help you, but if you trust the time to a timer, you will be less likely to think or worry about the time.
• Try Different Types of Meditation: There are moving meditations, sitting meditations, all different types. Don’t feel like you have to do one method. If you find one that works well for you, try sticking to it. I’ve been focusing on a different word each day, repeating it over and over in my mind, drawing myself back to it.
• Don’t Get Discouraged: It’s easy to get distracted. Pull your thoughts back gently and don’t be angry at yourself for getting distracted. Each gentle pull back toward your focus is moving you deeper into your meditation, like rowing on a large lake.