I love talking about my favorite positive coping skills! Can you tell?!
I hate to play favorites, but the one that has been most transformative in my life has got to be my regular meditation practice. Without fail, finding stillness first thing in the morning before I start my day has made me a better person. Without a doubt, my mindful morning time has allowed me to create a life I love!
When I talk to audiences about starting a practice, this is what I hear the most:
I am not doing it correctly (Not true)
I am not supposed to have thoughts (FALSE)
These misconceptions about meditation are common and I am here to tell you both thoughts are simply not true! There are so many times when thoughts DO pop in my mind (all the time) and THE PRACTICE is simply returning to the thing that ANCHORS YOU IN (focussing on your breath, a mantra, sounds, whatever you choose). It used to be so challenging for me to find stillness and now that stillness is the thing I crave for me to feel truly centered.
I’m not alone in being transformed by a meditation practice. Meditation is recognized as a valuable practice with numerous physical, mental, and emotional benefits. A growing body of research—and centuries of contemplative traditions—reveal its effectiveness. Yes, there is proof of its positive impact on well-being. Here are some of the ways meditation can help you.
Stress Reduction: Meditation, including mindfulness and deep breathing, lowers stress by activating the body's relaxation response and reducing stress hormone production.
Improved Focus and Concentration: Regular meditation, especially mindfulness practice, enhances cognitive functions like attention and focus by training the mind to stay present.
Emotional Well-being: Meditation positively impacts emotional health by fostering awareness of thoughts and emotions, promoting emotional balance and resilience.
Enhanced Self-Awareness: Through meditation, individuals gain a deeper understanding of thoughts, emotions, and reactions, leading to personal growth and improved self-esteem.
Reduced Anxiety and Depression: Meditation and mindfulness practices effectively reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and are often integrated into mental health therapies.
Better Sleep: Meditation, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques can improve sleep quality by calming the mind and promoting relaxation.
Pain Management: Meditation and mindfulness practices are effective in managing chronic and acute pain by teaching observation without emotional reaction, which can reduce pain perception.
Increased Mind-Body Connection: Meditation emphasizes the mind-body connection, promoting holistic health. Practices like yoga and tai chi incorporate meditative elements for mental and physical well-being.
Neuroplasticity and Brain Health: Regular meditation positively influences brain structure and function, and is associated with improvements in attention, memory, and emotional regulation.
Enhanced Resilience: Meditation cultivates inner strength and resilience by fostering a non-judgmental and accepting mindset, aiding in adaptability and coping skills.
Spiritual Growth: For those inclined towards spirituality, meditation serves as a tool for self-discovery and connection with a higher purpose, and it is often integrated into various spiritual traditions.
Add ALL these benefits up and it comes down to this: you can FEEL BETTER. I hope you will give it a try! You can start simply, with one minute of quiet time each morning, where you focus on your anchor and come back to it whenever thoughts or emotions arise. It might not feel like much at first, but keep going! (Think of it like building muscle.) I am so grateful for my practice and hope it helps you too!
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