At first, I sincerely didn’t believe that I would ever be able to meditate. In theory, I loved the idea of it and could fully respect all its benefits, but I couldn’t imagine myself being able to settle my mind enough to actually DO it. And then, a few years ago, I started learning. So, bottom line, is that if I can actively embrace and enjoy mediating, so can anyone.
Yes, the mind at first tends to overthink and it is similar to building a “muscle” like any other. Just as we first crawl, walk and then run; this is much the same. Gradually, as you become more comfortable and able to allow your thoughts to float by and then focus on your breathing and being in the moment, it is truly a beautiful thing. Meditation is not a religion; it is a mindful practice that has huge positive effects on our physical and emotional well-being.
What Is Meditation?
Meditation has been practiced since the beginning of time and has regained its popularity and value during the hectic and busy lifestyles many of us have. Meditation is about training your mind to gain awareness, clarity and a sense of perspective. As we allow ourselves to “over-think”, we lose the connection to our intuition. As we practice meditation, mind, body and soul dance together and a sense of calm and self empowerment follows. We learn to observe our thoughts without judgment and become fully aware of the present moment and a whole-body experience.
In the beginning it is recommended to practice Guided Meditations where there is a respected person and approach that verbally and musically walks you through a 5, 10, 15 or longer meditation. I personally recommend starting with Progressive Relaxation Techniques in Guided Meditations; for example, The Body Scan by Jon Kabit Zin. Also, “Let Go” and “Sleep” by Elie Bay. Tara Brach, Pema Chodron, Jay Shetty and many others are available on You-Tube or Spotify and I strongly encourage you to just jump in and give meditation a try! Sometimes it takes times to find the voice that best resonates with you or the kind of music that you enjoy; approach this a new adventure like any other.
Why Meditate?
Meditation gives a sense of calm and a sense of being your “true self”. Heightened emotions settle, blood pressure decreases, heart rate is reduced and your mind and body become fully relaxed. When I start the day with a meditation, I find myself calmer, more settled and more equipped to deal with the ups and downs that come along in any day. Also, ending the day with a meditation leads to improved quality of sleep and awakening more rested. Even a short 5-minute meditation during a lunch break, brings us back to the present moment and provides a sense of well being and happiness.
While meditation is encouraged as daily life practice, it is especially useful during challenging times. My friends, clients and family are all expressing the growing tensions and anxiety as the COVID 19 restrictions persist. We have come this far in honouring social distancing and maybe self-isolation and we have some time yet to go; therefore, we need our de-stressing strategies more than ever. Trust me, learning and practicing guided mediations will become one of the sharpest tools in your life “tool box”
Meditations ease anxiety, decrease depression, improves concentration, focus and creativity! Ideas and “aha” moments flow from meditations and we all feel calmer and more energized at the same time, if that makes sense. Hundreds of studies have proven that even 15 minutes of meditation per day significantly improves mood and lowers stress levels. Furthermore, meditation has been used for hundred of years to relieve pain in the body and teaches the mind to focus on things other than the present pain. They even boost the immune system! Honestly, the list goes on an on about the multitude of benefits.
I hope I have convinced you to tip your toe into this new practice! Perhaps start with googling some of the names I provided, though please know there are literally thousands of other wonderful meditations also to access. Another great
first step is to download Apps on your phone; my personal favourites are Calm, Headspace and a recent new fav is Insight Timer. Many of the apps are free, at least initially, and are very reasonably priced. All of them teach us how to meditate, provide videos on why it works, and include podcasts from experts in the field.
Please let me know how it goes and be patient with yourself! It takes time and effort to re-train the brain , but it is always worth the journey!
All the best in health and wellness,
Sending everyone a big “virtual” hug, Sherry
Sherry Campbell, Principal Counsellor and Owner of the Sherry Campbell Group www.sherrycampbellgroup.com
