Meditation is an ancient practice that has become more and more popular over the years. It has ties to many different religions and has been practiced by diverse cultures all over the world. Studies have even linked the efficacy of meditation to good overall health and well-being. With this in mind, here is a short guide to meditation and how it can help you.
A Short Introduction to Meditation
Meditation is a conscious practice whereby an individual uses a technique to attempt to increase awareness of the world around them and achieve peace within. The techniques can differ vastly in practice, but the aim remains the same. Some popular techniques include mantra, mindfulness, yoga, and sound bath meditation.
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Meditation has Many Benefits
Experts state that daily meditation practice can provide numerous benefits to your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. It is a great practice for people who feel the stresses of daily life getting to them, those that are looking for a holistic approach to tackle health conditions, and also for those who are interested in maintaining a healthy mindset.
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Good Mental and Emotional Health
Regular meditation practice can invoke feelings of liberation, enlightenment, and euphoria. These feelings enable people to manage their emotions better and overcome mental and emotional hardships easier. By combatting negative thoughts and emotions, stress and anxiety will naturally lessen. In turn, people who practice meditation are less likely to experience emotional exhaustion and mental burnout.
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Physical Benefits to Meditation
Meditation practice has been linked to good blood circulation, a lower respiratory rate, and a lower heart rate. It is also excellent for people who experience high blood pressure. Not to mention, studies suggest that regular practice can improve sleep patterns and can help people cope with pain better.
How Can I Get Started?
Practicing meditation for the first time can feel alien, especially if you have not practiced mindfulness in any form before. Before you begin, it is a good idea to find a comfortable and quiet space where you can sit down and relax. You can also set a timer to give you something to work towards. Once you get into the habit of meditation, you will find that you won’t need this step. Mala bead bracelets are excellent tools that help people reach a meditative state. The touch of the bracelet helps wearers stay grounded, and counting the beads can help them focus their minds.
Guided VS Unguided Meditation
Guided meditation describes the practice of meditation that is led by a meditation facilitator, and it is great for beginners or people who wish to learn new techniques. Guided meditation can help structure your practice, and it can be via video, audio or in-person. Unguided meditation is completely self-directed, and it generally allows you to become more absorbed into your practice and enables you to get more from meditation. Both types can help increase awareness and achieve mental clarity. However, the gentle instruction from a guided session might make meditation easier for beginners.