I've been meditating for nearly 8 years. I've tried different practices from sitting in silence to mantra-based meditation and guided meditation.

However, it wasn't until I signed up to Mindvalley - the online learning platform - last year that a tried a meditation practice which actually makes me feel happier.

• What is 6 Phase Meditation?

Vishen Lakhiani, Mindvalley's founder, developed the 6 Phase Meditation in 2013.

"It’s the distillation of thousands of years of scientific and spiritual wisdom, where the key benefits of meditation are dramatically amplified - while all unnecessary dogma is erased."
- Vishen Lakhiani

In just a few minutes a day, 6 Phase Meditation can transform the way you think, perform, grow and shape the world around you.

• Practicing the 6 Phase Meditation

The practice goes through the following phases:

- Phase 1: Circle of Compassion

- Phase 2: Gratitude

- Phase 3: Forgiveness

- Phase 4: Envisioning the future

- Phase 5: Your Perfect Day

- Phase 6: The Blessing

This process can be completed in less than 20 minutes a day (I've managed it in 10!).

• Best time for 6 Phase Meditation

The ideal time to complete the practice is in the morning when you're still in an alpha state.

I usually practice around 6.30 am after finishing my workout and things are quiet in the house.

• Why do I feel happier?

I believe that phases 3, 4, and 5 have had the biggest impact on me.

Going through the process of forgiveness has helped me let go of negative thoughts and feelings for a person or situation that happened.

Visualizing what I want to happen in the future also reinforces my goals and is a constant reminder of what I'm working towards.

Planning out my day also helps me to retain focus on the present and how what I do today, will help me achieve the future that I envision.