How Meditation Can Help You Live a Longer, Healthier Life
The image of a monk in a religious experience is the most prominent representation of meditation. Meditation, on the other hand, is a technique that everyone may take to improve their mental function and overall wellness.
Meditation has been shown to alleviate stress and may even aid in the treatment of illnesses like high blood pressure. Your life will open up to more options and you’ll find it easier to make healthier choices once you’ve become more calm and tranquil through meditation.
What Is Meditation, Exactly?
Meditation is a technique for calming the mind. You’ll find that it’s easier than you think once you’ve established a regular meditation practice.
When it comes to meditation, some people prefer to sit cross-legged, but this isn’t required. Another sitting position may be more comfortable for you, but the most important thing is to keep your posture in good shape. You’re more prone to become fatigued and fall asleep if you slouch.
To get started, select a peaceful spot and settle in. Then begin inhaling and exhaling deeply. Pay attention to your inhalation and exhalation. Saying a “mantra” to yourself while you breathe in and out may be beneficial. It is your goal to keep your mind free of any thoughts.
Thoughts, on the other hand, are unavoidable. The best method to get rid of them is to acknowledge that you’ve had a thought and then concentrate on your breathing and clearing your mind. With more experience, this will become easier.
Stress Free
You’re genuinely focused on the present moment when you concentrate on breathing and clearing your mind. Stress, on the other hand, occurs when you consider something that happened in the past or will happen in the future.
You exude calmness because you experience little stress when you have a clear mind in the current now. You may bring a peaceful, stress-free approach to your everyday life if you do this often.
The Body And Stress
Your body goes into overdrive when you’re stressed. It is more susceptible to numerous diseases and ailments when it is overworked. Stress exists for a reason; in order to flee dangerous situations, you need the hormonal adrenaline rush, as well as increased respiration and heart rate. It simply refers to your ability to deal with threats.
You maintain your mind and body in a stressful state by constantly thinking about past or future stressors, even if you aren’t in a stressful scenario right now. This is why it’s critical to give your body a well-deserved break from all of the stress. You’re giving your body the energy and rest it needs to avoid weariness and sickness if you learn to meditate regularly.
Getting Better Health
The absence of excessive stress benefits your health in a variety of ways. Lower blood pressure and a stronger immune system are likely side effects. Because stress can lead to mental problems, striving to be stress-free will also keep anxiety and sadness at bay.
When you meditate, your body is put into a trance-like state. Even if you’re awake, your body can begin to heal itself in the same manner it does when you sleep. You can help yourself transition from sleep to wakefulness and vice versa by meditating in the morning or at night.
Meditation is the most effective way to maintain a healthy mind and body. After you’ve tried it, you’ll feel renewed and invigorated. Who knew “sitting” could be so beneficial?
A Short Cut To Meditation?
It’s easy to pick a time of the day for meditation, but the real challenge is how do we exactly free our minds from the clutter that is the result of being overwhelmed by our daily responsibilities?
“I don’t have time to meditate”
“I just can’t meditate. My mind is too noisy and I can’t shut it down!”
Is there a convenient way where we can get protected from the ill-effects of stress without meditating?
Let’s listen to what science has to say…
A study from the Nutrition Journal shows a protective role for omega 3 fatty acids in stress. Omega 3 fatty acids are rich in fish and have been known to have cardio-protective effects. Fish are notoriously expensive and can be an additional stress to your budget, but we can get the same benefit at less cost if we get our omega 3 from fish oil supplements.
So there you go. We just can’t meditate our way to clear past due bills and nosy neighbors. But we can get the protection we need from the stress that comes with our daily struggles by taking fish oil supplements.