EFFECTS OF MEDITATION ON STRESS MANAGEMENT

Meditation and stress release is absolutely amazing. Doctors suggest meditation and stress release exercises for illness everyday now. More than ever, people all over the world and from all walks of life are taking up the practice of meditation and stress is the number one reason they are doing so. Stress and tension are a major epidemic in today‟s society with the enormous pressures of work, finances, family life, studies, aging parents, etc. Stress and anxiety are often the underlying cause of many serious health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes and strokes to name a few. In our normal daily lives we all experience stress and to a certain extent a little stress is actually beneficial, but when we are exposed to long periods of stress, damage can occur in nearly every part of our body. The effects of stress are also very good at mimicking other serious conditions, with chest pain, shortness of breath, joint pain, tingling fingers and toes and heart palpitations all putting extra stress of the sufferer. These symptoms should always be checked by your doctor. By practicing meditation and stress release your mind and body is calmed, it starts to repair itself and blocks further damage from pressure. By practicing meditation and stress release both your breathing and heart rate is slowed and your blood pressure level is decreased, you will produce less adrenaline, use oxygen more efficiently and your immune system works better. In addition to these bodily functions, you will have a much clearer mind; remember things easier and you will be more creative. Many people also find that regular meditation and stress release aids in quitting smoking and giving up alcohol and other dangerous drugs. Meditation and stress release helps train our minds to be more accepting and patient, giving us more stability thus stopping the urgent need to react rather than to stop and think clearly, it builds concentration and also lets us examine the habits we have formed in our way of thinking and gives us the power to alter these patterns and create less pressure for ourselves. Contemplation allows us to live in the moment and enables us to make clearer conscious decisions without making it a stressful situation. Spend15 to 30 minutes practicing mediation and stress will ease dramatically. Right from the very first session you will feel the difference. Stress relief is achievable in the very short term and over time, with constant regular practice your health will also improve. The beauty of meditation and stress release is that it is free and all it takes is a little time and commitment. At home by yourself you need nothing more than somewhere quiet to sit and maybe a candle so you can concentrate on the flame or you can purchase a CD or DVD to aid you. Classes are available where you can be guided through by a trained teacher in a class setting. It is really up to you how you practice meditation and stress relief at home or in a class the benefits will be the same. Stress is a natural part of everyday life. Simply defined, stress is the body‟s reaction to any change that requires the body to adjust or respond. Stress can manifest itself in physical forms such as headache, upset stomach, elevated blood pressure, chest pain, sleeping problems, nervous tension, and anxiety. Research has shown that stress can even worsen symptoms of some diseases. There is positive stress and negative stress, both of which have effects on the body. Positive stress helps to keep us alert and avoid any dangers. Negative stress happens when we are continuously challenged without any relief or way to relax. Meditation and stress relief exercises are a very effective and natural way to return the body to a homeostatic state. Meditation and stress relief exercises restore the body to a calm state, helping the body repair itself and prevent any damage. The physical effect of meditation on our bodies decreases our heart rate and slows breathing. Blood pressure returns to a normal state, oxygen is used more effectively and the amount we sweat is decreased. Less Cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenalin is produced and our bodies produce more positive hormones. Practicing meditation and stress relief exercises will slow the aging process, improve immune function and possibly increase creativity. It doesn‟t take much to be able to meditate. Meditation and stress relief exercises not only are a natural way to relax, but probably the most cost effective tool to use as well. There isn‟t any particular equipment needed or special class or teacher required. It is always available and always free. Simply sitting in a comfortable position and clearing the mind. Focusing on a single thought, sound or you‟re breathing to completely clear the mind of all distractions. As far as time is concerned, all that is needed is 5 to 20 minutes. In the beginning, it can be a struggle for some people to understand, and it does require patience. This may be difficult when feeling overwhelmed and stressed. Finding ways to fit meditation into your life everyday to relieve stress is easier than one would think. Breathe deep, truly focus on your breathing, this can be done at work at your desk for five minutes. Scan your body, this just means that you look over your body and completely focus on one aspect feeling the sensation whatever it is allows a moment of reprieve from your surroundings. Repeating a mantra is also very helpful and can be done silently in the head when walking from one place to another. Take a walk, while dinner is in the oven, walk around the block. Listen to music or read, these are ways to “escape” and be liberated from the thoughts of the day. Meditation for stress relief is the most natural (has no potential side effects) and cost effective way to reduce stress. Meditation can be done anywhere at any time by anyone.