One of Feed the Vibe’s goals is to be able to open our minds to natural ways of healing, which is why we wanted to highlight the significance behind meditation and why we implement it into our self care routine.

What is Meditation?

It has often and most commonly been thought of as a path to self-awareness, but to be exact, Webster’s dictionary defines it as:

1: To engage in contemplation or reflection

He meditated long and hard before announcing his decision.

 

2: To engage in mental exercise (such as concentration on one’s breathing or repetition of a mantra) for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness.)

4 Elements of Meditation

Most people are unaware but there are actually multiple types of meditation; all of which have four common elements:

1. A quiet location with as few distractions as possible
2. A specific, comfortable posture (sitting, lying down, walking, or any other position
3. A focus of attention (on a specially chosen word or set of words, an object, or the separations of the breath)
4. Most importantly, an open attitude (letting distractions come and go naturally without judging them).

Woosaahh (How to Meditate):

1. Get comfy: Begin by sitting in a comfortable position. This would be a good time to light your candles and/or incense if you’d like. Then gently close your eyes. Let yourself feel at ease/calm/still in your body and in your flow of breath. 
2. Breathe: Inhale and exhale mindfully* in a rhythm that feels natural and soothing as you mentally draw your attention inward.
3. Focus on your heart: Rest your attention on your heart and imagine the flow of your breath warming and cleansing it. Let your breath go in and out as you welcome relaxation.
4. Soak in the calm: Sit in stillness for a few moments and appreciate your heart, your body, this moment of solitude, and the process that brought you here.
5. Reawaken: Slowly start to open your eyes as your body comes back to life. Take a big full breath in and out, then smile and place both hands over your heart in gratitude. 

Because the proof is in the pudding, below are 9 proven reasons why YOU should incorporate mediation into your daily routine ASAP. 

9 Positive effects of Meditation: 

1. Enhanced will power: Meditation develops the mental discipline needed to avoid bad habits.

• *In a 2013 brain imaging study, researchers observed that a 2-week course of meditation (5 hours total) significantly reduced smoking, paired with relaxation training.

2. Increased attention: Meditation helps with attention span.

3. Reduced stress: Meditation may decrease stress. Thus improving the symptoms of stress-related conditions, anywhere from irritable bowel syndrome to post-traumatic stress disorder.

• *Results from a 2013 NCCIH-supported study involving 49 adults suggest that 8 weeks of mindfulness training may reduce stress-induced inflammation better than a health program that includes physical activity, education about diet, and music therapy.

4. Reduced anxiety: Regular meditation helps reduce anxiety and related mental health issues like social anxiety, fears and obsessive-compulsive behaviors.

5. Decrease in depression: In addition to its stress reducing quality, meditation helps curb the occurrence of depression.

6. Improved memory: Better focus through regular meditation may increase memory and mental clarity. These benefits can help fight age-related memory loss and dementia.

• *In a 2012 study, researchers compared brain images from 50 adults who meditate and 50 adults who don’t meditate. Results suggested that people who practiced meditation for many years have more folds in the outer layer of the brain. This process (called gyrification) may increase the brain’s ability to process information.

7. Better sleep: Meditation can shorten the time it takes to fall asleep and improve sleep quality.

8. Lower blood pressure: Blood pressure decreases during meditation and over time in people who meditate regularly. This can reduce strain on the heart and blood vessels and help prevent heart disease. 

9. Greater compassion: Meditation can help you better understand yourself, and in doing so, increase positive feelings and actions toward others.

***People with existing mental health conditions should speak with their health care providers before starting a meditative practice, and make their meditation instructor aware of their condition. 

Sources:

(Intl Yoga & Meditation Teacher Georgette Dunn, Dallas,Tx. Womansday Magazine Nov20)

Health Benefits of Meditation

Meditation in Depth

Meditation in Crisis