Are you one of those who roll out of bed in the morning scrambling for your coffee or dashing out the door to head to the office, hoping your socks match? Do you think that there’s simply no time in your crammed day to take a few moments to meditate? Or do you think that meditation is only for the yogi who sits all day on a mountaintop contemplating his navel?
What would you say if I told you that taking a few moments every day to tune into yourself would benefit you in numerous ways?
Whether you take a few moments to pray or simply sit still, it’s been shown that meditation yields rewards physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Here are a few of those rewards:
Meditation…
…relieves stress, which leads to a deeper level of relaxation.
…reduces anxiety attacks.
…decreases muscle pain and headaches.
…lowers heart rate and blood pressure.
…decreases respiratory rate.
…helps balance brain chemistry, which aids in stabilizing mood.
…helps with depression.
…enhances the immune system. (Research has shown that meditation increases activity of ‘natural-killer cells’, which kill bacteria, funguses, parasites and cancer cells.)
…helps in dealing with personal issues.
…creates new neuronal tracks in both the prefrontal cortex as well as the mid-insular regions of the brain, which helps us change and learn.
…helps align us with higher/deeper realms.
…aids in our connection with God, Spirit, Absolute or the Universe.
Isn’t that enough to take a few moments to meditate?
In the beginning, it will take effort to remember to tune into yourself. Here’s an exercise that will hopefully help:
During the day, take a moment to pay attention to what you are thinking and notice the emotion that is attached. This will help you build consciousness and better know yourself.
Also, even in busy situations, you can become still. Here’s how: focus on breathing deeply and slowly for a minute at your desk, while standing in lines or in the shower. You will soon discover that stillness can be woven into many of your everyday tasks.
After all, isn’t good health and happiness something worth striving for?
Have you found a way where stillness was woven into one of your everyday tasks?
Dr. Jennifer Howard is a licensed psychotherapist, healer, author, relationship counselor, and professional speaker with more than 20 years of experience in helping people make changes in their lives. She\’s created a personal development plan and assists people in personal development and spiritual growth through her lectures, workshops, and her upcoming book, Changes That Last. She has offices in Huntington, Long Island, NY, and New York City, is a leading expert on spirituality and psychology, and is a former faculty of the graduate program of A Society of Souls. Dr. Howard has been frequently seen as an expert and featured guest on national television shows including, The Maury Povich Show, Turning Point, America\’s Talking, Rolanda, Charles Perez, Les Brown and others. Right now, Dr. Howard is offering a free downloadable MP3 of her recent lecture, \”The Intelligence of the Heart” to anyone who subscribes to her free ezine. Along with the free MP3 members of the site can read articles written by Dr. Howard, gain access to the online Virtual Meditation Room with guided and visual meditations, and more. For more about, Click Here.