Ever wanted to quieten the constant chatter that goes on inside your head? How about silencing that inner critic that produces anxious thoughts day in and day out? If you answered yes to the above, then I have the perfect remedy for you….. Meditation!
Meditation is an ancient practice that has been used for thousands of years. One of the greatest gifts of meditation is that it reduces the stress hormones in your body and brings your mind back into the present moment awareness. This is so important in the world we live in today as stress is the number one cause of most chronic diseases causing inflammation in the body through the constant release of cortisol. Scientific research has also shown that meditation can tap into your brain’s deepest potential to learn, focus, heal and adapt as well as provide you with relief from fear, anger, give you greater self-awareness and a greater sense of inner peace.
Personally, meditation was my saviour. In 2011 when I was struck down with chronic fatigue syndrome, I had to embark on a journey to help heal myself and meditation played a huge part in my journey to recovery. Meditation helped me kick my addictions to alcohol, sugary foods and any other cravings I had. It helped me make peace with my past and release my attachment to future outcomes. It helped me quieten the constant chatter and inner critic I had in my head by transforming me into an observer of my thoughts where I started to have power over what I chose to think. Most importantly it helped me find stillness in my days so my body could heal on all levels.
Now, don’t get me wrong…I was hesitant at first! I was the type of person who thought meditation was “hippy” stuff and did not believe in it at all! I also was the person who couldn’t sit still for longer than a minute at a time and would get agitated very easily. Despite all this, I found myself sitting in my first meditation class a few years ago, desperate for some healing and willing to try anything that might remotely work! My first experience was highly uncomfortable, laughable with loads of resistance from my stubborn self but slowly with persistence and patience I started to find it getting easier and easier each time and more importantly I started to feel lighter, brighter, more energetic and an unusual sense of happiness creep into my days. I even found that at one stage on my journey, I was eating all the right foods, had a great supplement plan and was seeing the best natural doctors to heal but only when I started to meditate did I truly begin to heal.
Meditation helped me find absolute peace and contentment in my life. I connected to a source that we all have which is a source of pure love and joy. I finally felt true inner happiness and wholeness. Meditation gave me light in my darkest hours. It helped my anxiety, depression, overall physical health and it provided me with a way to distance myself from the millions of thoughts that consumed my mind every day.
There are many forms of meditation. I would suggest to try a few and pick a style that most resonates with you. The beauty of meditation is there is no right or wrong, so just go with the flow and do what feels right with no judgement.
Why not give it a try this week?
First, pick a time to meditate each day. I would suggest committing to same time every day so it becomes part of your daily routine. Next, create a nice, quiet space for yourself to sit and practice and then simply start experimenting! Make a commitment to yourself to practice for just 5 minutes a day, you owe it to yourself!
You can even try some of the below methods to help get you started:
- Deep belly breathing practice
– Sitting in a comfortable position, close your eyes and place one hand on your belly.
– Breathing through your nose, inhale slowly to the count of 3, filling up your belly and pushing out your hand.
– Then exhale slowly to the count of 4, breathing out through your nose, emptying your belly, observing your hand moving in.
– Repeat this for a minimum of 10 times or more.
(Do not force your breath, breath until it is comfortable so you are not grasping for air.)
- Try a guided meditation APP.
- Take a meditation class this week.
– Search for a meditation group in your local area and try it out! There are many types of meditation groups such as; channelling meditation, chakra meditation, mantras and guided meditation.
Keep an open mind and persevere…find what resonates with you and I promise you will soon start to reap the benefits!