What Is Meditation?
Meditation is more than just sitting cross-legged and humming to yourself. While meditation is one of the many health buzzwords of the 21st century, it is an age-old practice. Meditation involves focusing the mind on an object or word in order to train the mind and create awareness of the present moment.
Praised as a calming practice, meditation can also enhance cognitive development and help you get a healthy sense of perspective. You are not attempting to shut off your emotions or ideas; instead, the goal is to better grasp them.
Why Learn to Meditate?
To students and professionals alike, one of the most important advantages of meditation is improving one’s concentration (where the subconscious is free of any thought). In our day we undergo a dizzying array of noises, including inner noise, concerns, fears, anxieties, anticipation, expectations, feelings, daydreams, visions and emotions — all of which we must organize and find space for in our internal lives. This is where meditation comes in.
Why Is Meditation Important?
Studies have shown that meditation can assist with education, sleep, energy, stress relief, certain types of discomfort, and may be important in developing a personalized spiritual practice. Meditation adds relaxation to our everyday comings and goings. The ultimate goal of meditation is to achieve tranquility, or what Buddhists call “presence.” Being present means being engaged with what is going on in the present moment. By sitting in a relaxed state of mind, you can analyze your thoughts. This will help you cultivate the practice of thinking more critically, while assessing and dismissing negative self-talk.
How Do I Learn To Meditate?
Learning to meditate is simple and can have long-lasting effects. Start by meditating right after waking up—your brain is the emptiest after getting up—and in the evening before bed. Try to meditate 20 to 30 minutes, one or two times a day. You can start by meditating just five minutes a day and building your practice as you progress. Begin meditation by sitting upright with your back and your legs in a relaxed, crossed-legged position. Comfortably place your hands on your knees or in your lap. You may want to purchase a yoga mat or a comfortable cushion where you can practice your daily meditations. Begin your meditation by paying attention to your breath. Notice the air flowing in and out of the body. You will notice that as you continue to breathe deeply that your mind will gradually relax and become tranquil.
It’s as easy as breathing in and breathing out.
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