Top 3 Benefits of Relaxation and Meditation

It’s Monday and you’re ready to take on the world… until that stereotypical Monday-thing happens. Maybe you spilled coffee on your favorite t-shirt or your car won’t start, or some other event that truly does seem to happen on “those days.” Whether you’re simply having a stressful day, managing with physical and mental health ailments, or just struggling to be positive and expel negativity, mindfulness and meditation are great tools for relaxing your mind, spirit, and even body.

Physical and Mental Health

Short-term stress, even though it still feels uncomfortable, can be positive—especially when one learns to manage it. After all, how many people only turned in their homework on time because of the fear they felt? Short-term stress may even boost the immune system, according to studies, but it is clear that stress has an impact on physical and mental illness, which can be noted in a study by Mohd Razali Salleh. If getting this negativity under control and turning it into something positive could reduce stress, it’s likely going to benefit your health as well. It may decrease headaches, high blood pressure, and sleep problems.

Awareness

Not only are you going to see benefits to your overall health, but mindfulness, a type of meditation, allows one to be grounded in the moment. In fact, Psychology Today defines mindfulness as coming back to the present. All too often, we get caught up in the past or the future and forget to enjoy the moments we are currently experiencing. We all talk about living in the moment, so maybe now is the time to start! It goes without saying that this will lead to a more peaceful and grounded life experience.

Managing Your Stress and Emotional Responses

Lastly, by practicing mindfulness, you will start to be aware of your emotions as they are developing. You’ll understand why you feel the way you do and learn to honor all emotions simply for what they are, thus making stress reduction a lot easier than when you’re filled with inexplicable anger at something hurtful your roommate or spouse said or criticism from your boss. Whatever the case may be, you’ll be able to manage your reactions and understand your emotions from a higher plain, so to speak.

Easy Ways to Incorporate Meditation Into Your Day

• Guided Meditation—There are many guided meditation resources available online. Guided meditation is a great place to start if you’re new.
• Yoga—This is a great way to not only meditate but increase blood flow throughout the body, which will help reduce stress and inflammation.
• Mindfulness—Go outside for a walk and really take in the sounds you hear, focus on the feel of your feet against your shoes and the ground, the air around you. Notice your body and the world in which it inhabits. A quick search of mindfulness will find you everything from “mindfulness walks” to the guided meditations we mentioned earlier, but sometimes you’re just not in the position of those practices. The Mayo Clinic recognizes this roadblock and offers advice on practicing meditation at home. Below is a collection of various ways to incorporate meditation and mindfulness when you’re at work or school.
• Grounding Techniques—A technique common amongst therapists is taking a moment to think of five things you can see, four things you can feel, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste. It’s simple enough that you can do it anywhere and it brings you back into the moment and creating a positive outlook.
• Scent—Some mindfulness practitioners recommend scent, even if it’s just using your favorite lotion or spritzing your perfume. Another great method are essential oils, such as lavender or orange, which are both known for their grounding and relaxation effects. If you’re interested in essential oils and don’t know where to start, Young Living Reviews is a great resource on the different essential oils and their benefits!
• Sound—Music or white noise is a great way to relax and meditate. Just pop in your earphones and take five minutes to breath, focus on the sound you are hearing, and come back to the present, leaving all the worries of the day behind you. When you pull out your earphones, you’ll be ready to tackle the day

Why You Need to Incorporate Mindfulness and Meditation

By practicing meditation, you’ll not only enjoy all the benefits listed above, but you’re going to have a more positive outlook on life and yourself. If nothing else, you’ll find your thoughts changing, focusing more on the present and less on what you’re going to do next week to get through the next obstacle of life. Also, there’s really no excuse not to! With ways to practice at both home and work (you could even include kids or other family members!), there is always time to relax and ground yourself. Start today and who knows what differences you might experience.