In today’s world, we hear a lot of talk about meditation. But what does that really mean? When we think of meditation, what often comes to mind is someone sitting cross-legged in a lotus position with their hands pointing upward resting on both knees and chanting “om”. But there are many ways to meditate.
Because of covid-19 and changes that people had to make in their lifestyles, mental health concerns were brought to the forefront. Many people were not equipped with handling the new pressures and changes which had to be made. One way to find more peace and less worry is by meditating. Even practicing for just a few minutes a day can be beneficial.
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the definition of meditation is:
“Intransitive verb
- To engage in contemplation or reflection
- To engage in mental exercise (such as concentration on one’s breathing or repetition of a mantra) for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness
Transitive verb
- To focus one’s thoughts on : reflect on or ponder over
- To plan or project in the mind”
Meditation can consist of simply disconnecting from electronics and noise, and reflecting on the day for a few minutes in a comfortable area. Many people write down their reflections, commonly known as journaling. Some people will partake in a quiet activity such as knitting or drawing. Others will take a bubble bath and light a candle to wind down before going to bed. You need to find what works for you and your busy lifestyle.
If you have children, it might be difficult to get some quiet time. But it’s very important that you take this time each day to do some reflection. This is also a great time to practice gratitude. Writing down things at the end of the day that you are grateful for is a way to focus on the positive.
What are the benefits of meditation? Reducing stress and negative emotions, reflecting on stressful situations and gaining new perspectives, and increasing self-awareness are all helpful aspects. There are also some physical benefits such as lowering your resting heart rate and blood pressure, and even having a better night’s sleep, according to the mayoclinic.org.
Not sure where to begin? Try sitting quietly and pay attention to your breathing. Breath in slowly counting to 5 and exhale slowly counting to 5, and repeat. Do this for 5 minutes, and you’re off to a good start!
Wishing you peace.
Leah