Meditation & You

Have you ever thought about adding meditation to your wellness practice? The new year is the perfect time to start! People are meditating to promote overall wellness and also to cope with anxiety, pain, depression, stress, insomnia and physical or emotional symptoms associated with chronic illnesses such as heart disease, cancer and HIV/AIDS (NCCAM 2010).

Shirley Archer, JD, MA, IDEA’s mind-body-spirit spokesperson and an award-winning author, shares some insights on this popular mind-body practice.

Changes in the Brain

Researchers are finding that meditation practice creates structural changes in the brain, which is significant, because neuroscientists used to think the brain’s development reached a peak in adulthood and then declined with age. Research is now showing that how we use the brain impacts its development and function (just as how we use the body affects its health and function).

Health Benefits of Meditation

Meditation benefits may include

• stronger immune system and enhanced attention;
• lower blood pressure and reduced risk of heart disease;
• less anxiety and depression;
• increased feelings of compassion and empathy;
• lower blood sugar
• improved sleep; and
• better pain management.

Getting Started

So how can you begin your own meditation practice? Diksha McCord, director of meditation teacher training at The Expanding Light Retreat in Nevada City, California, offers the following tips:

• Create a dedicated space. A small room or closet is ideal, but if this is not possible, create a quiet area in your home and return there each time you practice.
• Set a consistent time. Choose a regular time—such as dawn, noon or dusk—and try to practice daily.
• Ensure quiet. To sharpen your mental focus, wear headphones or earplugs if sounds are distracting.
• Sit with good posture. Sit upright, with spine erect and body relaxed, and place your hands, palms up, on the thighs at the junction of the thighs and abdomen.
• Be comfortable. Use pillows and cushions as necessary. Sit in a chair if it’s more comfortable. Place a pillow across your thighs if needed as a place to rest your hands. Experiment with different positions (including different hand positions) to find what works for you. McCord emphasizes that what matters is not how you look, but how you feel.
• Start gradually. Start with as little as 5 minutes and increase your sitting time in increments of 5 minutes. Work up to 30 minutes, twice daily, if possible. Let enjoyment be your guide.