In this day and age, time moves at warp speed, and consequently, so do we. Most never have the time or want the time to sit down and take a break, but then we wonder why we feel stressed and depressed. People that have high stress levels are more prone to anger, depression, and long-term effects like the possibility of memory loss and Alzheimer's disease. We blurt comments without thinking when we are stressed, we get more irritated in traffic, and people around us suffer. So how do we annihilate stress? Try meditation - here's how.
When most hear the word "meditation" they think of Buddhist cultures and other religions that follow the practice. However, thinking that only certain people can meditate is a myth. Meditation is an art of relaxation, and anyone can do it. You do not have to wear a robe, burn incense, or a candle. Though religions do follow it obediently, it is open to anyone who might be interested.
Another myth surrounding meditation is that you have to strictly follow certain seated positions. Many consistent meditators do prefer to sit in a cross-legged position on the floor, but again, it is all about relaxing your mind and body, so sit or rest in any position that is comfortable to you.
Other myths include believing you have to make your mind blank, needing a mantra and thoughts of falling into a trance. These are all false. The human brain constantly processes thoughts, but when you meditate, you don't follow them. You let them drift away. A mantra isn't necessary, unless you want one, because the main focus of meditation is to concentrate not on thoughts, but on relaxing and breathing. Finally, you do not go into a trance while you meditate. The practice actually makes you more focused and alert.
While you don't need any special supplies to meditate, there are helpful tapes, CD's, books and classes that can be useful tools if you want to start or sustain the practice.
Now, how do you meditate?
One of the most important parts of meditation is concentration. Find a quiet spot away from distractions that you can use every day. Using the same area will also help to stay focused on continuing the art of meditation. Once you have found a special place, the only real item it needs is a timer.
Start with a realistic time frame. If you are antsy, start with five minutes. Working your way up to 45 minutes per day is ideal to achieve maximum success. Find a comfortable position that keeps your back straight. The best options, I feel, are sitting in a chair, sitting cross-legged on the floor, or lying on your back with your knees bent.
Once you are settled in a position and your timer is set, close your eyes and relax your muscles. Make yourself feel like Jell-O, let the tension release from your body and drift away. Tune into sounds around you, hearing them, as you relax your body. Take some normal breaths, and notice where in your body you feel your inhalations the most. If you find yourself not able to concentrate on breathing, say "In" when you inhale, and "Out" when you exhale. Work up to deeper breaths, but do not over-strain yourself or your lungs. If your mind wanders, don't analyze any thoughts that enter. Instead, let the thought drift away, and actively concentrate on your breathing. Feel your breath, how deeply it goes, let it out slowly, and stay relaxed and focused on every breath you take. Continue this until your timer dings. In this time you set aside for yourself, all that matters are your relaxed body and the breaths you draw in.
It can be extremely effective to practice meditating every day, and it has been shown in studies to reduce healing time in some, stress levels in others, and everything in between. More research is being done all the time to prove the healing and stress-relieving properties of meditation. Anyone could use a little less stress and a little more tranquility, so give it a shot today. See sponsored links for more information.
No comments:
Post a Comment