Stress. Fear. Anxiety. In some form or another, we’ve all experienced these feelings. Your car broke down and you’re stranded on the side of the road. You have to give a presentation, but you can’t shake your nerves. You’re waiting to hear back from a job interview, but the anticipation is too overwhelming. What do you do when the world becomes too much to handle?
Meditate.
Close your eyes. Relax your body and quiet your mind. Breathe in and breathe out. In just a few short minutes, your mind should be in a better place so you can figure out how to solve your problem. We have no control over our external environment, but there is one thing we can control- our mind. In its simplest sense, meditation is a form of relaxation. But it’s really so much more than that. It may seem ludicrous to some, but when you’re in a frenzy and need to find some calm within, meditation is your most powerful tool.
Here are 6 reasons why you should incorporate at least 10 minutes of mediation into your everyday life.
REDUCES STRESS & ANXIETY
Feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders? A few minutes of meditation can actually help alleviate your feelings of stress and anxiety. When we experience stressors, we respond with the “fight or flight” response. Naturally, our blood pressure and pulse rate increases, our breathing quickens, and blood flow to our muscles increases. It is during these times that meditation can help calm the storm within. When you practice this more often, it becomes second nature so you don’t have to work as hard to relax yourself.
IMPROVES PHYSICAL HEALTH
Looking for an easy way to improve your health? Try sitting in one place for a few minutes each day! Seriously though- as much as your body needs to exercise, it also needs to relax. The act of meditating improves blood circulation and lowers your heart rate. This simple act improves your cardiovascular health, decreasing your risk of heart disease. Meditation also helps strengthen your immune system, making you more resistant to viruses and infections.
IMPROVES MENTAL HEALTH
In need of some mental clarity? Meditation allows you to connect with your higher self, enhancing your sense of well-being. This gives you the opportunity to get in touch with your emotions and find a way to control them. Meditation also increases your emotional stability, meaning you’re less likely to be influenced by negativity.
IMPROVES FOCUS
Having trouble staying focused? When you have too much going through your mind and feel like you’ll never be able to accomplish your tasks for the day, take a step back and meditate. Focus on your breathing. This encourages your mind to focus on just one thing. Once you’ve taken a few moments to yourself, your foggy mind will be clear so you can focus on the task at hand.
PROMOTES HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS
Feeling disconnected from the world? Not only can meditation connect you to yourself, it can also strengthen your relationships with others. Meditation has been shown to enhance your ability to empathize and relate to others. How, you ask? When you meditate, you become more connected with your thoughts and feelings, which in turn, allows you to better pick up on cues indicating how others are feeling. It’s all a circle of understanding and respect.
STIMULATES BETTER SLEEP
Struggling to stick to a healthy sleep schedule? Try meditating before bed in order to reach a state of peace. Meditation will help turn your brain off, eliminating today’s stress and tomorrow’s worries. Your brain suddenly realizes the day is over and tomorrow is not yet here, allowing you to focus on the now. This is a great way to re-train your brain for bedtime, ensuring a restful night’s sleep.
TYPES OF MEDITATION
There are many different types of meditation. The one you practice is entirely up to you. Try them all out and decide which one you like best. Or you can even create a routine that combines all 7 ways to meditate.
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METTA MEDITATION
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PROGRESSIVE RELAXATION
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MINDFULNESS MEDITATION
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BREATH AWARENESS MEDITATION
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ZEN MEDITATION
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TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION
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KUNDALINI YOGA
No matter which form of meditation you choose to pratice, your mind and body will thank you. After a few short sessions, youll have a new outlook on life.
