There are places to be and appointments to keep, meals to prepare and laundry to wash. There is always something to do, and it can cause stress just thinking about the to-do list.
Stress isn’t good for your body or your mind. It prevents you from resting well and can even affect your relationships. Meditation and mindfulness can help.
Meditation takes various forms. Some say it is meant to clear the mind, while others say it is concentration on one particular subject. This centuries-old practice has been credited with providing a multitude of mental, emotional and physical advantages.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health provides tips on how meditation can have a positive impact on the body.
It can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression
Meditation balances hormone levels and calms the nervous system, effectively reducing the body’s natural fight-or-flight response.
It can lower blood pressure.
Lower blood pressure results in a decreased chance of an aneurysm, heart attack, stroke and artery damage.
It can boost immunity.
Meditation strengthens the body’s natural ability to combat disease and protect against toxins, bacteria and viruses.
It may help battle addictions.
The regular practice of meditation can help a person better resist alcohol, nicotine or drugs naturally.
It can encourage healthy sleep patterns.
Less stress leads to better sleep. Twice daily meditation acts as a natural antidote to insomnia.
It can improve brain efficiency.
Meditating causes the parts of the brain to function more harmoniously together. A healthy brain can help ward off Alzheimer’s and dementia.
It can improve personal relationships.
In theory, when your overall demeanor is calmer, you’re happier and your personal relationships become more harmonious. This same sense of peace can also flow into your professional relationships.
It can encourage creativity and increase problem-solving skills.
Meditation leads to greater mental alertness, which enables you to potentially have more creative solutions for problems.
It may improve fertility.
The stress of trying to conceive can actually hinder the process. The calming effects of meditation lower stress, which could make it easier for a woman to conceive.
Tips for meditating
- Start small. Start by meditating for five minutes, then slowly increase the length as you see fit. Use a timer with a peaceful alarm so you don’t need to watch a clock.
- Eliminate distractions. Find a quiet place. Your time spent in meditation will be more productive without distractions.
- Give yourself a break. Don’t get upset with yourself when your mind wanders. Instead, gently bring your attention back. If you’re having trouble concentrating, start counting. Choose a number and count up to it repeatedly.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services notes that meditation should not replace medical care.
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