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Meditation is an evidenced based practice that Reduces Stress

In this fast-paced world that we live in, many of us are looking for effective ways to reduce stress and live a more harmonious and fulfilling life. There are many ways to reduce stress levels, but mediation is the best way to reduce stress and bring focus and clarity to your mind (https://www.apa.org/topics/mindfulness/meditation). It has become clearly evident that chronic stress or stress over a long period of time cannot be sustained as we learn more about the impact stress has on our mental and physical health. We must therefore develop effective stress management skills. Simply put, the risk of not doing so is too great.

Meditation Explained

Meditation is a set of methods used to promote increased awareness and concentrated attention. It is also a method of altering consciousness that has been proven to have numerous advantages for psychological health (https://tinyurl.com/c5msjfz8). Meditation is closely linked to mindfulness and the idea of taking control of our own minds and thinking patterns.

The History of Meditation

For thousands of years, people have been meditating in different cultures all across the world. Meditation has a long history in almost all major world religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Many people meditate independently of their religious or spiritual beliefs or practise. Today, individuals all around the world regularly practise mindfulness meditation to lower stress and promote tranquility and relaxation. Another intervention that can help with stress is psychotherapy, and we provide several forms of therapy at City Therapy


Types of Meditation:

There are many different types of meditation, which can make it hard to know where to begin! Mindfulness, body scanning, walking, loving-kindness, and transcendental meditation are five of the most popular styles of meditation. If you’re just starting out, you might want to try mindfulness, body scanning, or loving-kindness meditation first.

The Benefits of Meditation

Meditation can help you reduce stress, control anxiety, and promote emotional health. It also supports lengthening the attention span, enhances self-awareness, and may reduce age-related memory loss. Further benefits are meditation can generate kindness, help fight addiction, and can support the control of pain. Some people find it beneficial in terms of decreasing their blood pressure and improving sleep, and it can be practised anywhere, so it is accessible to all.

How to Meditate:

  • Lie down or comfortably sit.
  • Shut your eyes.
  • Don’t try to regulate your breathing; just let it happen naturally.
  • Pay close attention to the breath and how your body is moving as you breathe in and out. When you breathe, pay attention to how your body moves. Look at your abdomen, ribs, shoulders, and chest. Pay attention to your breathing without trying to regulate its speed or force. If your thoughts stray, bring them back to your breathing.
  • Start with two to three minutes of this meditation exercise then attempt it for longer periods.

 

Meditation Takes Practice

  • Don’t criticise your meditation abilities, because doing so could make you more stressed. It takes practise to meditate.
  • Remember, for instance, that no matter how long you’ve been practising meditation, it’s normal for your mind to wander during that time. When you’re using meditation to relax your mind and it wanders, carefully bring it back to the sensation, action, or item you’re concentrating on.
  • Try different meditation techniques to see which ones suit you the best and which ones you love.

 

There is no right or wrong method to meditate, so keep that in mind. What is important is that practising replace to practising meditation makes you feel less stressed and more relaxed overall.

For expert support in your stress reduction and wellness journey, contact City Therapy.