Healthy Habits

Meditation

This simple, beautiful practice has been used since the beginning of time to provide clarity, calm, and a long list of health benefits. Modern societies, and finally health care professionals, have finally caught up to the simplistic wonders of sitting in quiet.  The best part about meditation is that anybody can try it on some level.

On a physical level, meditation can lower high blood pressure, reduce anxiety, increase serotonin levels (feel good hormones), improve immune function, and increase your energy. Done correctly, it is a nervous system reboot. It can help you shift gears from the constant fight or flight sympathetic nervous system responses. The parasympathetic nervous system helps calm and regulate your breathing, brain activity, cardiovascular system and the rest of your unconscious mechanisms.

Most importantly, a meditation practice will give you peace of mind. It allows you to create a separation from the day-to-day stresses of the world. Problems will become smaller, emotional stability will improve, as well as your ability to effectively communicate with those you care about.

Just sitting quietly for five minutes shouldn’t be that hard, right? Most of us run a high paced life with a lot of responsibilities. Not only is finding a few spare minutes challenging, but being able to do so with a quiet mind is near impossible. It is referred to as a practice, and like anything in this world the benefits become more pronounce as you dedicate time to it.

Here’s some tips:

  • Start with a few minutes a day (can be as little as 2 minutes!)
  • Don’t judge yourself if your mind wanders, it’s normal.
  • Dedicate to a few weeks of daily practice to really begin to enjoy the benefits.
  • Guided meditations are very helpful in the beginning.  Try signing up for a class or using an app like Buddhify to tailor to your needs.
Sean Fitzpatrick

Author Sean Fitzpatrick

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