We are constantly on the go! Work, school, family, friends and activities can leave us stressed and exhausted. Taking a break is good for the mind and body. One way to get some truly peaceful moments is through meditation.
Meditation is considered in the medical field to be a Mind-Body therapy that can be used along with standard or conventional treatment for various diseases. Some studies have shown that practicing meditation can be helpful for a number of health conditions, as well as promoting better sleep and improving mood.
People can use meditation for multiple purposes, especially to promote calmness and feel physically more relaxed, as well as to help balance their emotions and optimize well-being. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) in the United States, there are several scientific studies that highlight the health benefits of meditation, when used in conjunction with conventional treatment it can help to:
- Reduce blood pressure.
- Decrease symptoms of anxiety, depression and pain.
- In cancer patients, meditation has been shown to help relieve anxiety, stress, fatigue, improving sleep and mood.
Just to mention a few.
How should I practice?
There are many ways to meditate. Some people who practice meditation recommend repeating a word or phrase either mentally or out loud; some use physical movements, which are performed during the practice of yoga, tai chi or qi-gong. All of the above with the goal of activating the relaxation response and “turning off” the body’s fight-flight reaction. Many people meditate by simply finding a quiet place, closing their eyes and concentrating on their breathing. This experience can also be accompanied by some elements that promote relaxation, such as relaxing music, a symbolic object that reminds one of contact with nature, a candle, among others.
According to the NIH, it is emphasized that these relaxation practices, and above all meditation, have 4 important aspects:
– PLACE: Practice it in a quiet place, where there is the least distraction.
– POSTURE: Having a comfortable and constant posture, such as sitting, lying down or walking. It can also be practiced by intending a specific movement during yoga, qi gong or tai chi.
– ATTENTION: You need to have a focus of attention, it can be centered on a word, phrase, sound, an object or even on your breathing.
– ATTITUDE: Be with an open attitude, allowing to observe without judging, allowing thoughts and emotions to come and go without being judged.
Cheer up and create your space to meditate daily. Remember that constant practice generates great benefits at the level of physical and mental health. If you want to guide your process, and learn how to do it, you can use Healing Presents! In the Meditate and Relax modality we have several techniques and types of meditation that you can learn and try until you find the one that best suits your needs and tastes. You will find all the accompaniment you need, from music created to encourage deeper states of relaxation, and if you wish to accompany these moments with sounds of your preference, you can choose them to encourage an open and serene attitude, remember that little time is better, but frequent practice!
With Healing Presents we want you to optimize each day with moments of mindfulness and full enjoyment, fostering serenity, positivity and compassion.
