For many people, the idea of meditation has a lot of negative associations – meditation can be seen as something woolly that weirdos do, a practice for old hippies or something boring or pointless. It's undeniable that there is a mindful revolution going on, and that more people than ever before whether requiring mental health care, the elderly, students, soldiers and police officers are embracing the benefits of meditation.
What I have discovered (and no end of well-documented studies have shown) is that meditation is really an easy practice that can have all kinds of positive benefits for anyone who takes it up.
Meditation is the name given to any practice aimed at calming the mind, usually through some kind of focused period spent engaging in a quiet exercise of mental calmness. There are a number of different forms of meditation, but one of the most studied and widely practiced in the West is called mindfulness meditation.
Anyone can practice meditation. It's simple and inexpensive, and it doesn't require any special equipment. You can also practice meditation wherever you are — whether you're out for a walk, waiting for an appointment or even in the middle of a difficult meeting.
Meditation can give you a sense of calm, peace and balance that benefits both your emotional well being and your overall health.
And these benefits don't end when your meditation session ends. Meditation can help
carry you more calmly through your day and may improve certain medical conditions.
carry you more calmly through your day and may improve certain medical conditions.
When you meditate, you clear away the information overload that builds up every day and contributes to your stress.
Emotional benefits can include:
- gaining a new perspective on stressful situations
- building skills to manage your stress
- increasing self awareness
- focusing on the present
- reducing negative emotions
In short, mindfulness mediation can significantly enhance the quality of your life though you do need to practice regularly, at least once every day to reap the benefits.
Perhaps the best way to develop a practice is by taking one of the mindfulness programmes available throughout the country. That is how I started (6 week two hour session) and like many people, benefitted from the support the programme provided. The audio materials that were provided help with home practice too.
Meditation apps like Headspace, Buddhify and Omvana also make it easy to cultivate a daily meditation practice. Another option, which is strongly recommended, is to pick up a good book on the topic.
Namaste
Alison x
Julie Woodier BACP Accredited & Registered Counsellor/Psychotherapist runs local courses in North Yorkshire
Sources:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/04/this-is-proof-that-mindfu_n_4697734.html
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