What are the benefits of meditation?

They are clear: meditation helps to lower your blood pressure, reduces stress, and helps you to obtain clarity. Medical studies indicate that over 90% of all illnesses are stress-related and with our hurried, pressured lives, it seems to be on the rise. Meditation seems to be a great practice but how many of us are actually doing it?

Start off the new year with some new tools to help you cope with all that you have going on.  Make this year the time to invest in yourself, in your peace and serenity and see how it can change your life for the better.

After a health scare in my mid 30’s, I knew I had to make some changes in my life and take better care of myself. As a mother of two young children and with a husband who traveled extensively, I didn’t have much time for “quiet time”.  I didn’t know where to start but I knew something had to change.  Reading about meditation can be so intimating!  Reading about all the different types of practices and seeing how much time you can devote to it can feel daunting.  So I started getting up 30 minutes before the children, making a cup of tea and reading some daily positive messages books. At first it was hard but as my sleep patterns adjusted and I was enjoying my time without anyone in the house to disrupt me – I started wanting more!

I was definitely hooked.  I ended up adding time to my routine and getting up an hour before anyone arose! I kept a journal and wrote down my thoughts and ideas and my creativity started to flourish with all the beta brain waves. It made a huge impact on my day and it has made me a better person today. Things that used to bother me no longer upset me nearly as much and it has given me more patience with others – a huge plus for my kids, my husband, and the people I work with all day.

I have learned through the years that meditation does not have to be complicated! It’s as easy as you want to make it, and there are many forms of it. Pick one of these and try it for just 15 minutes a day, a few days a week:

• play some relaxing music without lyrics
• go outside and observe nature – enjoy the beauty of the sky, the trees, listen to the wind and the birds
• take a walk without distractions – no cell phone, no music
• close your eyes and just concentrate on taking slow, steady breaths
• buy a guided meditation that focuses on clearing your chakras (wheels of light)
• let your mind wonder freely
• pray and ask your higher power for help with all your burdens and let them go. Trust, have faith and patience that your prayers have been heard and will be answered.

When you feel comfortable adding more time or days, feel free to do so!  The practice of meditation is completely personal and you should design it only for yourself.

If you’re looking for more detailed information try some of these sites:  Energize, or Zenhabits.  For more examples or practice tips, check out a Pinterest Page.

Reference: For more information on the health effects of meditation, please visit this webpage:

http://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/mindfulness-meditation-practice-changes-the-brain.

Laura Dutton is not just a valued medical assistant at Natural Bio Health but she is also a Reiki Master and certified Reflexologist (from the School of Reflexology in Oxford, England).