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.
One effective way to relieve stress is to meditate.
What is meditation?
Certain practitioners would describe meditation as clearing the mind, while others would consider it concentrating on one particular subject.
Though there are many definitions and different practices, a general explanation is that meditation involves making an internal effort to self-regulate your mind in some way.
This centuries-old practice has been credited with providing a multitude of mental, emotional and physical advantages.
It reduces 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 reduces blood pressure.
Lower blood pressure results in a decreased chance of an aneurysm, heart attack, stroke and artery damage.
It boosts immunity.
Meditation strengthens the body’s natural ability to combat disease and protect against toxins, bacteria and viruses.
It helps battle addictions.
The regular practice of medication helps the addicted to better resist alcohol, nicotine or drugs naturally.
It encourages healthy sleep patterns.
Less stress leads to better sleep. Twice daily meditation acts as a natural antidote to insomnia.
It improves 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 improves personal relationships.
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 encourages creativity and increases problem-solving skills.
Meditation leads to greater mental alertness, which enables you to come up with more creative solutions for problems.
It may improve fertility.
It’s known that the stress of trying to conceive can actually hinder the process. The calming effects of meditation lower stress, which makes it easier for a woman to conceive.
Tips for meditating
- Start small. Don’t start off expecting to meditate for 30 minutes. Start with 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 the quietest place you can. 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. Getting yourself all worked up will have the opposite effect of what you’re aiming for! If you’re having trouble concentrating, start counting. Choose a number and count up to it repeatedly.
Find a quiet spot, take a deep breath, and begin reaping the benefits of a calmer mind and body.