There are many things going on in the world. Many things feel uncertain and the end of doubtfulness and the unknown seems far. However, Mediation can help your body and mind to maintain a better peaceful balance daily.
There are multiple studies(https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2018/04/harvard-researchers-study-how-mindfulness-may-change-the-brain-in-depressed-patients/) that show that if you meditate can help your nervous system calm your body and muscles. To be able to maintain this peaceful state, there are a few tricks that can be used daily to help you achieve it.
LET’S START WITH SPACE AND TIME.
Begin with finding a peaceful area. This is important because your mind needs to rest and your body will follow through. A safe spot will help you align your body with your mind and bring you the comfort you need.
It is also very important to find a specific time to meditate. We know that sometimes sticking to that time can be a bit difficult if you find your days to be busy. However, morning meditation can help you start your day focused and in control, especially if you’re expecting a busy and chaotic day. Keep in mind that meditation can also help you find yourself in a less controlled environment riddled with anxiety and stress at midday. Meditation has been known to help you control and release any stress that can lead to anxiety. Once your workday is over; whether it is inside or outside your home, you could also start your night of winding down with a little evening meditation. This will help you leave your work mode and enter a peaceful night for better sleep. Time in meditation isn’t about the length of which you decide to do it, but rather the frequency. If you try it for 5 to 10 minutes a day – every day your body will get used to it and your mind will follow.
ADJUSTING YOUR BODY
Having the right position and the right posture to let your body relax is very important. Start with a comfortable seated position. Whether you sit on a chair or comfortably on the floor on a cushion, it is up to you.
The key here is for you to be comfortable enough to connect your mind and body.
Relax your shoulders and hands; by letting your hands rest on your thighs, your arms and shoulders should feel at ease and at rest.
Remember to always work on your posture to help you concentrate. If you do choose to sit on the floor remember to use a cushion to help raise and support your hip and spine. Once your spine is straight and comfortable, you can have your legs crossed over the other, always having your knees below your hips.
On a sitting position using a chair, keep your feet flat on the ground to help you achieve the same notion as sitting on the floor.
Now relax and breathe.
BREATHING WHILE USING YOUR EMOTIONS
There is an art to using your emotions to find your tranquility. Although, meditation is about about finding peace in the silence, using your emotions and breathing can help you achieve this. Concentrate on your breathing, inhaling and felling your breath reach your lungs, relax and exhaling allowing heavy emotions out of your body.
Meditation is used to calm your mind through breathing techniques and there for finding positive emotions. Many have used meditation to deal with mental and physical illnesses that sometimes can be paralyzing and hard to deal with every day. According to a Harvard study on Mindful Meditation ; Meditation has shown “benefits against an array of conditions both physical and mental, including irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, psoriasis, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.“ Although this study was against a small group; which can sometimes be problematic to achieve Concrete hypothesis, it still held value that meditation worked for patients suffering with depression, anxiety and chronic pain.
These times have been hard, not only for you mind but also on your body.
Taking care of ourselves has never been as important as it is right now. Meditation is key to help you make these times of uncertainty a little easier.
“Listen to the silence, it has so much to say” Rumi
Written by Yuli Angulo