How to meditate properly: Tips from experts to get the most out of meditation

(Daryl Austin/ USA Today) — Americans are soothing their senses and quieting their minds like never before.

The percentage of adults in the country who practice meditation increased from 4.1 percent in 2012 to 14.2 percent of the population nearly six years later. Today, that number has grown higher still, with many adults now frequently turning to mindfulness and meditation apps for help with the practice.

There, superstars like Harry Styles, LeBron James, Kate Winslet and Matthew McConaughey help listeners achieve a relaxed state of being, proving that meditation has moved beyond its spiritual roots to become a trendy, mainstream activity.

But seeking inner peace and finding it are two different things, and meditation experts say some techniques are more productive than others. (…)