Why you should meditate every day

Understanding Meditation

Meditation is an age-old practice used to be present and aware. A consistent meditation practice promotes mental clarity, calmness, and stability. Many faith-based communities and religions incorporate meditation into their spiritual traditions and teachings, but the techniques are non-secular and accessible to everybody and their ability level. If you have breath in your body, then you can meditate.

The history and health benefits of meditation are traced to ancient aborigines and the deep contemplative practice called dadirri. Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann, Ngangiwumirr Elder, describes dadirri as "an inner, deep listening and quiet, still awareness." In Africa, Zulu warriors used meditation to transcend their minds and overcome fear in the face of war. Eastern wellness traditions like the ayurvedic approach in India and medicine therapies in China and Japan all incorporate meditative practices to sharpen focus and attention, connect to the body and breath, and alter consciousness.

These techniques have been time-tested and proven to increase calmness and physical relaxation. The practice promotes emotional balance and enhances practitioners' overall health and well-being. Meditation can be a simple solution to stress during demanding lives. There is no "one size fits all" approach to meditation or a right or wrong way to do it. The best practice is the one that fits your lifestyle so that you can be consistent and develop healthier habits over time.

Why you should meditate every day

Though ancient in origin, meditation is becoming increasingly popular in countries and cultures across the globe and is used to create a sense of inner peace and calm. The western world has worked hard to validate meditative practices through clinical research studies. These studies have concluded that meditation is proven to positively impact a plethora of physical and psychological benefits like stress reduction, improved immunity, and increased resilience . Neuroscientists have found that meditators grow their grey matter which supports the anti-aging outcomes of meditation . These big brain benefits include creating more space between our thoughts and our actions so that instead of emotionally reacting, we can respond from a place of presence and peace.

A consistent contemplative practice alleviates anxiety by calming our nerves, lowering our heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension so our bodies and minds can sink into our nervous system’s natural state of rest and relaxation. There are many forms of meditation, but they all work similarly to lower cortisol levels and subsequently stress.

How many times have you lost your temper or overacted in a scenario that required far less passion and spirited language? Maybe you have fired off an email at work and wish you would've taken an extra beat to process before you responded. Many of us have been there and wish we could take back something we said or did when we weren't our best. Patterns can form over time where our moods are volatile, and our emotions are unpredictable. Meditation helps us access our built-in relaxation response, so we are less reactionary in fight, flight, or freeze mode. We are better equipped to ride the ebbs and flows of this journey called life, and over time we develop resilience to the myriad of stressors that we encounter along the way.

Be patient

It can be overwhelming to start meditating solo. People often expect immediate results and want to feel calmer instantaneously. Beginners are often unsure if they are "doing it right." Though there is no wrong way to meditate, beginner practitioners question their intuitive gifts to guide themselves inward at any given moment. An experienced teacher can provide clear coaching to combat a wandering mind and help bring the student back to the present. Learning how to meditate on your own at any moment is essential to a complete practice, and with patience and practice, everyone can get there.

There are many meditation exercises for beginners, but forming new healthy habits requires discipline and commitment . Consistency is more important than time. If you can only carve out one to five minutes, that is more than enough. You can always increase your time as your schedule permits or as your brain and body begin to crave the connection that you are creating with yourself. You are not making overnight oats. Be patient with yourself and know that the only "wrong" way to meditate is the method that does not suit you. Keep trying to find what works for you.

Mediatation has been personaly a very powerful tool in shifting momentem into my life and initiating a natural steady positive change in my awareness which has improved my mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. I am able to navigate my emotions and shift my perspective to act resourcefully or even simply let go of things out of my control.

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