Mindfulness mediation, also known as MBSR has proven to be a powerful tool in reducing anxiety and improving the quality of our lives. It’s a natural immunity booster, helping us to keep chronic disease at bay.
Stress and anxiety severely limit healing and lead to difficult outcomes for people who are already fighting chronic disease.
There are numerous types of meditation we can tap into for mental, emotional and physical relief. Mindfulness meditation is proving to be one of the most popular and effective since it’s introduction to numerous American hospitals (during the past 30 years) by Jon Kabat-Zinn of the University of Massachusetts.
Mindfulness meditation consists of focusing on the sensations of the present moment. That’s it…nothing more, it’s really that simple. Breathing is the focus when meditating. One simply places their focused attention on feeling their breath as it travels in and out of their nose and chest.
Mindfullness Meditation and our Brain
An accumulation of scientific research shows mindfulness meditation aids in the repair of damaged neurons. It also helps to form healthy new neural pathways, elevates moods and eliminates depressive symptoms. The size and shape of the brain are altered and chronic illnesses like cancer, heart disease and blood pressure are reduced.
According to Meredith Melnich of the Huffington Post, this type of meditation helps reform cellular and neuronal connections in the brain. It physically changes the structure of the brain which in turn rewires the brain to function on a whole different level. Overtime, this helps to shift our perceptions of the world to a whole new plane of perception.
The neurons and cells of the brain consistently work at making new connections and disrupting old ones. All based on stimuli they receive. Researchers term this “experience-based neuroplasticity.”
When the neural circuits of the brain are affected, it affects how we respond in situations and circumstances.
Mindful meditation teaches us to “quiet the mind and relax the body” while observing any rogue thoughts. As we take command of our thoughts, we are no longer subject to negative, unwanted, monkey-mind thoughts. The kind that seek to control how we feel and act. The same ones that boost anxiety and stress levels eventually leading to unhappiness.
Meditation can be thought of as “exercise to make the mind strong and flexible” the same way our physical exercises are performed to make our physical body strong and flexible.
Building Mountains out of Molehills –
When meditating, we focus our conscious attention inward and eliminate the constant chatter of voices and thoughts crowding our mind, creating dramas and causing us added stress. Daily meditation allows time to clear this type of information overload.
Being “mindful” simply means we are aware of thoughts and actions in the present moment but it is an awareness without judgment. It helps us to be present no matter what the circumstances.
Releasing mind-chatter is what helps us to get anchored and focused in the sensations of life itself. These sensations occur in the “now” moment. This is true freedom from the past and future,
Mindfulness meditation training increases physical, emotional and mental health by strengthening the body’s immune system. In tantum, it also strengthens the mind’s physiological responses to stress and negative emotions/situations. It improves family and social relationships with friends and strangers, reduces anxiety as well as stress and depression. Happiness and a feeling of well-being recieve a boost as one begins opening up to personal experience, awareness and consciousness.
Without a doubt, mindfulness meditation is beneficial to both mind and body. It would be a shame not to take advantage of such a powerful tool so freely available.
Keep your mind relaxed and as stress free as possible. Focus on the sensations of the moment. Release the dramas as often as you can and watch the physical health of your body improve.
“Wellness Wake Up Call” can help you do just that…
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