There is a remedy capable of containing stress and anxiety, reducing migraines, increasing immunity, promoting sleep, protecting the heart, arteries and strengthening the brain. This remedy, validated by science and yet ancestral, is meditation!
Meditation brings about changes in the structure of the brain of those who practice it, and this gives quite astonishing results.
BUT BEYOND, WHAT IS MEDITATION? To meditate is to go on an adventure to encounter what we are experiencing in such a way as to be able to transform it. The positive effects of meditation are very diverse. It allows you to refocus, to find strength, to have more momentum, to have a more fluid relationship with others or to regain more confidence in your own intuition. Nothing to do, therefore, with being Zen and clearing your head.You don't need to calm down! To meditate is to regain power to face difficulties.
MINDFUL MEDITATION
The practice of mindfulness meditation has changed: once reserved for yoga studios and new-age devotees, it has now carved out a place for itself in mainstream medicine.This type of meditation is now commonly used to reduce and manage stress, depression, chronic pain, and other chronic illnesses.
To practice mindfulness meditation, you must learn to focus on the present moment. We usually start by becoming aware of each breath and each inspiration.
WHY SHOULD WE MEDITATE?
Mindfulness meditation allows people to look at sensations, feelings and states of mind without moral judgment – people are aware of their thoughts, but are not distracted by them.
Scientists have known for some time that meditation is very effective in relieving problems such as anxiety and depression, two ailments which, if left unchecked, make us more vulnerable to Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Only recently, however, have they discovered that meditation directly affects our brains.
Meditation actually changes the human brain: the gray matter of people who practice it undergoes structural transformations that are not found in those who do not meditate. There is some evidence to suggest that mindfulness meditation may also increase brain connectivity, as measured by white matter measurements in the brain, and may slow cellular aging.
Moreover, a landmark study has proven that not only can meditation improve our brains, but it only takes eight weeks to do so, even if we have never meditated before.
We see it, it is never too late to practice.
POSITIVE THOUGHTS
To meditate, to pray, is, among other things, to gather one's forces, to channel one's thoughts positively. This is what is at work in the process of healing and fighting disease. Hard to find a better ratio between efficiency and price! Prayer only has positive effects if it is sincere (you can't "pretend to believe it"), but meditation can be learned. To accessible to all, it requires a real mental investment.
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Meditative practice can benefit people with digestive health issues such as Chron's disease and irritable bowel syndrome. Meditation has been shown to help reduce some symptoms of these conditions, including fatigue and abdominal pain. As mentioned earlier, meditation can help cope with pain and improve sleep quality. Meditation can also help reduce stress and anxiety, which makes the condition worse. The digestive system is linked to the mind and the body's stress and anxiety levels. Therefore, decreasing stress and anxiety through the practice of meditation can be beneficial for improving overall digestive health.
HOW LONG SHOULD MEDITATION LAST?
There is no exact recommended duration, although 10 minutes is recommended as the minimum duration to achieve the benefits of meditation. A meditation practice can last anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. Consistency is the most important factor when it comes to meditation. A regular practice of meditation will be more important than the duration of each meditation.
AT WHAT AGE SHOULD YOU START MEDITATING?
You can start meditating at any age. Starting the practice of meditation from childhood can be beneficial. Children can often start using techniques such as breathing and progressive relaxation very early.
WHAT IS THE BEST PLACE TO MEDITATE?
There is no specific place required to meditate. It is essential to be in a comfortable position and in an environment with minimal distractions. Most people will be seated, but it is possible to lie down or even walk.
Personally, I love to meditate in nature because the sounds of nature have a positive impact on morale. The water of a flowing river, birds singing or the sound of the wind shaking the branches of trees: the benefits of natural sounds, both on morale and cognitive performance as well as stress, or even sensitivity to pain, are numerous.