By Karla Sullivan
Studies have shown that learning to focus the mind and relieve the stresses of daily living through meditation can have profound effects on health.
Some research has suggested that meditation have dramatically decreased heart disease,reduced cancer and infectious disease. “Seventy five percent of long-term insomniacs who have been trained in relaxation, meditation, and simple lifestyle changes can fall asleep within 20 minutes of going to bed,” Dr. Gregg Jacobs from Harvard comments.
According to Project-Meditation, doctors are now actually prescribing meditation for their patients. Patients surveyed have seen an increase in energy, productivity and patience.
Meditation is not a new wave therapy but began in India and Southeast thousands of years before to bring a new level of balance control in ones emotional and physical life; chemical inducement was not the source of eliminating pain. Meditation techniques do differ from one culture to the next. And meditation is not a system that can be learned overnight. It takes practice and as you study, you will find what works for you.
“Meditation decreases oxygen consumption, heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure, and increases the intensity of alpha, theta, and delta brain waves—the opposite of the physiological changes that occur during [stress],” suggests Herbert Benson, M.D. Harvard Medical School, author of The Relaxation Response.
Harvard Medical School offer ideas on letting go of the future, the past and staying in the moment, refreshing the mind which focuses on breathing first to relax. Sitting suggestions vary from one mediation suggestion to the next but it is important to be comfortable regardless of sitting positions provided. Harvard provides the following basic technique.
Sit on a straight-backed chair, or cross-legged on the floor.
Focus on an aspect of your breathing, such as the sensations of air flowing into your nostrils and out of your mouth, or your belly rising and falling as you inhale and exhale.
Once you’ve narrowed your concentration in this way, begin to widen your focus. Become aware of sounds, sensations, and ideas.
Embrace and consider each thought or sensation without judging it as good or bad. If your mind starts to race, return your focus to your breathing. Then expand your awareness again.
The Center for Disease Control defines meditation as having four elements in common.
A quiet location. Meditation is usually practiced in a quiet place with as few distractions as possible.
A specific, comfortable posture. Depending on the type being practiced, meditation can be done while sitting, lying down, standing, walking, or in other positions.
A focus of attention. Focusing one’s attention is usually a part of meditation. For example, the meditator may focus on a mantra (a specially chosen word or set of words), an object, or the sensations of the breath.
An open attitude. Having an open attitude during meditation means letting distractions come and go naturally without judging them.
Meditation allows for a new mindfulness and so does life insurance. Rates are currently at an all time low so contact an agent today to plan for the future.
Ultimately, life insurance can be a frame of mind for peace of mind…..just like meditation.
