There are many different types of meditation that can be used for healing and reducing stress. Read about them in this short overview.
In this fast-paced world full of stress there are tons of proven benefits to meditation on a regular basis. You don’t need to head off to a yoga and meditation retreat, or to study with monks in tibet in order to reap the benefits of daily meditation.
There are many different forms and styles of meditation which makes it easier for individuals to find the most effective way to relax and help relieve stress for them.
Keep reading to learn more about three of the most effective and popular types of meditation and how it can help you live a happier and healthier life today.
Why Set Time Aside For Meditation?
Meditation is one of the easiest and most effective ways to relieve stress, sleep better, and improve your ability to concentrate and handle the daily grind of life.
In today’s world filled with cellphones and technology, schedules full of to-do lists and responsibilities it is easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed out. This can lead to trouble sleeping, difficulty concentrating, mood swings, depression, anxiety, and even lead to physical health complications such as heart attacks, strokes, and more.
Adding mediation to your health and fitness plan can help you shut out the world and teach you to live in the moment. You learn to breath more deeply and to take in more oxygen which helps every system in your body be healthier.
How to Meditate
There are many different ways to meditate, but they all start with the same basic principles. You need a quiet and comfortable place to be able to relax and to let you have some time away from the noise and interruptions of the world around you.
Many people feel more comfortable meditating when lying flat on their backs with their arms by their sides. Others find it more relaxing and have an easier time being present when sitting either on the floor or in a comfortable chair. You can decide which works best for you. The most important thing is that it is a position in which you can fully relax.
It usually helps to close your eyes so you are not distracted by outside stimuli and can let your mind release the worries and thoughts of the day. If you are staring at a pile of laundry or a stack of paperwork you need to do it is much harder to clear your mind and simply relax.
Meditation Music
You don’t always need to have music to be able to meditate but many find it easier to clear their mind if they have gentle and soothing music softly playing in the background.
Youtube and other streaming sites on the internet offer thousands of options for meditation music. There are several free apps for your phone if you want to meditate in the park or when you’re not at home.
Mindful Meditation
One popular way to meditate is to go through a guided meditation. These usually have a calm and comforting voice guiding you through a meditation experience to allow you to forget the world around you and to help keep you in the meditation moment.
Sleep Meditation
Sleep meditation is just as it sounds. It is to help your mind relax and meditate as you go and continue to sleep. It can have the benefit of lowering blood pressure, heart rate and slowing your breathing so that you sleep more soundly and wake up more refreshed.
Transcendental Meditation
This type of meditation is usually led by a certified instructor and was first created in India by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and was introduced to the United States in the 1960s. It has become very popular as people have learned and experienced the benefits of meditation both in groups and at home.
Meditation Improves Health and Wellbeing
Meditation can and has changed lives. It can lead to living longer and being happier as it melts stress away. You don’t have to spend hours a day meditating. Some people start with ten or twenty minutes a couple of times a week. Don’t give up if you have trouble clearing your mind when you first take up meditation. It takes practice just like anything else.
But once you do give it an honest and diligent try you’ll see a difference in your mental and physical health.
Don’t forget to bookmark our site for recipes, tips, and articles on how to live your best life.