You may have heard of the mental and physical benefits of meditation, but perhaps you were unable to experience them when you tried for yourself. While meditation isn’t for everyone, it’s important to realize that there are many different variations out there. Just because one type of meditation hasn’t worked for you doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try another!

The benefits of meditation are nearly limitless and should be enjoyed by everyone. From stress relief, to immune boosts, to libido enhancements, meditation is an easy, free and fast way to improve your overall health.

If you’re looking for a great holistic practice to add to your daily routine, try out some of the seven types of meditation below and see if they work for your needs.

1. Guided meditation

Guided meditation is extremely popular these days, especially with the many podcast and viral video options out there. This form of meditation is often recommended for beginners to the practice, as it gives you the option to follow along with an expert. Guided meditation sessions will also help you gain a better understanding of the practice and its purpose.

A big benefit of guided meditation is that there is a huge number of options available. If you’d like to start with meditating five minutes a day, then you can easily find a video or app to get you started. There are also guided meditations for those who prefer longer or more tailored sessions.

2. Zazen meditation

You’ve likely heard about the concept of “Zen,” which is a school of Buddhism taught all over the world. The form of meditation used in Zen Buddhism is known as zazen, which involves following your breath in and out as you sit in an upright position. Posture is extremely important to the practice of zazen meditation. One of the main purposes of zazen meditation is to train people to live in the present moment.

3. Mantra meditation

Mantra meditation is another popular form of practice. This form focuses on the repetition of a certain word or phrase, also known as a mantra. During meditation, you focus on this mantra in order to quiet your mind.

Mantras are often positive messages, which may help those struggling with self-confidence or anxiety. Mantras also help keep your mind from wandering during meditation, which is a problem many people struggle with.

4. Yoga meditation

While most types of meditation are good for the body and mind, yoga meditation adds an extra emphasis on the body. Yoga aims to help you strengthen your body while also controlling your breathing. During yoga meditation, various yoga poses are performed that usually go in sync with your breath. This type of practice is great for those experiencing stress or depression. Yoga is also helpful to those looking for a better night’s sleep.

5. Focus meditation

Focus is something many people struggle with during a meditation session. The mind can easily wander, no matter how hard you try to concentrate on your breathing. Focus meditation is great if you have a lot of trouble calming your thoughts.

Your point of focus during these sessions can be almost anything. You could choose to focus on your breathing or staring at a candle flame. Some people like to utilize sounds like gongs or singing bowls at their point of focus, instead.

6. Transcendental meditation

Transcendental meditation is a form of meditation that uses mantras coupled with breathing techniques but does not aim to empty or control the mind. Transcendental meditation was created by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who introduced the practice to North America in the 1960s.

This type of meditation is different from other forms of practice in that each session should be guided by a qualified teacher. It’s often recommended that you practice transcendental meditation twice a day for 20 minutes each session. If you are interested in transcendental meditation, teachers can be easily found online.

7. Visualization meditation

As the name suggests, visualization meditation utilizes images and symbols created in one’s mind. Those participating in a visualization meditation session should use these images to create a calm mind.

For some, imagining a positive image helps them concentrate on the practice, instead of letting their minds wander. This practice is great for those with a goal in mind, since it can help increase motivation and promote better self-confidence.

Meditate your way to wellness

Stress and anxiety are major issues that can affect both your mental and physical health. Mediation is a great tool to help alleviate the symptoms of stress, anxiety, self-doubt and much more. Even if you are unsure, it’s worth giving the practice a try. Because of the many different types of meditation out there, it should be easy to find one that works for you.