What actually is meditation? Why is meditation good for you? The basic definition of Meditation is a technique where one uses mindfulness or focusing on the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity to train awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state. The top five reasons as
Last year’s pandemic taught us a few very important lessons in that we do not have to go crazy running here and there and wear ourselves out. We can get so caught up in our daily lives that we can forget to stop and take time for prayer, meditation, being thankful ang grateful for the things we do have, and just being in the moment. Many people discovered meditation as a way to calm fears during the pandemic. For the first time, it seemed we had everything and nothing to worry about. Our physical bodies may have been quieter, but we were more stressed and anxious as a society.
young couple practicing yoga at sunset in modern home terace with ocean and sunset in background
To combat our anxiety and frustration of the unknown, classes were held on line, on Zoom, and even sponsored by employers to give workers a break and a chance to slow down and focus on what each individual felt was important to them. It is a practice that many have carried into their post-pandemic lives.
Prior to the pandemic, you may have heard that people may have tried meditation only to find it did not work for them. This author tried to meditate many times and always seemed to end up thinking about her grocery list. For once, there was not a whole lot to do and I was forced into mindfulness. At first, it was uncomfortable, but as I ended my day, I found I looked forward to the ten minutes of quiet and solitude.
Woman in sea water at sunset alone. She praying or meditating
It is essential to understand the top five reasons as to why meditation is good for you:
#1 Decreases stress
#2 Improves overall physical, mental, and emotional health
#3 Improves sleep
#4 Manages chronic pain
#5 Alleviates anxiety and depression
Your health is a true journey and you are not alone. There are many more reasons as to why meditation is good for you. Together, you and your Naturopathic Doctor can find treatments and practices that can improve your health and well-being.
After all, you deserve it!