For centuries, people have turned to meditation to quiet the mind and soothe the soul, but there may be more health benefits to this ancient practice. Studies have shown there have been improvements not only to stress levels and mental health, but positive results showing in blood pressure, brain function and chronic pain as well.
BLOOD PRESSURE: Meditation may help keep those levels in check. Researchers found that people who participated in 20 minutes of meditation twice a day for three months lowered blood pressure and their risk o future hypertension by 25 percent.
PAIN RELIEF: For periods of an hour or more can act as a powerful form of pain relief, reducing the aches by up to 40 percent.
HOW TO GET STARTED: These simple strategies can help get you started:
* Pick the Perfect time (Choose one you will stick with daily)
* Find a comfortable place (Choose a place quiet or water sounds or birds chirping. The key is relax your mind.)
* Quiet the body (You choose what works for you; sitting cross legged in lotus position, lie on a mat, bed, or the floor. The important thing is to be comfortable free of pain.
* Focus on your Breath (Slow steady, deep breathing - about 6 breaths a minute will trigger a relaxation response in your brain. If you find your mind wandering, push those thoughts aside, acknowledge you will come back to them later, then focus back on your breath and feel the air entering and existing your body).
* Be Patient (Remember, learning to meditate takes time. Don't be hard on your self or give up for wondering thoughts. With time you will find quieting your mind gets easier.