Everyone experiences stress and difficulties in their lives. It is important to be able to combat stress effectively so that the negative effects are reduced in daily life. Everyone needs a healthy outlet for stress. One of the most effective ways to combat stress and difficulties in life is the practice of meditation.
What Is Meditation?
Meditation is defined as an activity where one will "engage in contemplation or reflection; or to engage in mental exercise (as concentration on one’s breathing or repetition of a mantra) for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness (Merriam-Webster, 2009)."
This definition is technical; a more personal definition of meditation is to let the mind empty and rest, with a following centering exercise.
Benefits of Meditation
The benefits of meditation abound. Meditation, when practiced correctly, can aid a person in developing their cognitive skills, treating depression or anxiety, sleep issues, pain management and stress reduction (Schreiner & Malcom, 2008).
Meditation allows for a person to control their thoughts, and promote positive energy. Using meditation to combat stress is highly effective, especially for corporate figures and students. Meditation can also be used to promote creativity and overcome "writer’s block."
Misconceptions about Meditation
It is a common misconception that meditation takes hours of time. A Chinese study showed results that meditating twenty minutes daily over five days can improve attention and mood (Archer, 2008). There are meditations that can be used that take even less time than twenty minutes.
An example of a very short meditation is letting the eyes focus on nothing for two minutes. That is all, just two minutes. This allows the brain to clear, and helps to re-center focus; this technique is good for clearing the mind while working. Meditation can last for a short amount of time or a long amount of time. It all depends on what the person wishes to accomplish with the meditation.
Another common misconception is that in order to meditate one must be professionally taught how to do so or have a meditation guide. Meditation is a very personal experience, and while one could attend a guided meditation, this is not necessary.
Many meditating enthusiasts like to create their own meditations for what a situation requires. For example, if one needs to speak with someone on a negative topic, one could create a simple meditation to focus on empathy, strength and compassion. One would let the eyes close, and clear the mind. Then spend a few minutes repeating the words "strength, empathy, and compassion." This mediation would help one to handle the situation appropriately.
Why Meditate?
In addition to personal meditations that one creates, more traditional mediations are readily available. The website FreeMeditations.com is a wonderful source of meditations for both the beginner and the expert. There are many types of meditations that one can use. Meditations can assist in healing, both physically and emotionally, in mental cognition and focus, and in spiritual health.
Stress can cause a variety of effects on the body and the psyche. Everyone needs a healthy outlet for frustration, anger, and stress. While some are blessed with a talent for painting or writing, which is great for an outlet, not everyone can use these for an outlet. Not being able to handle negative feelings and stress can cause bad moods, and even health problems. Meditation is a very effective outlet for these feelings and dealing with stress.
Meditation can help anyone. It is a simple process to learn, and while it does take practice, it is something that anyone can develop. To best prove this statement, try this simple meditation. Close one’s eyes. Breathe in through the nose, and out through the mouth. Breathe deeply. Concentrate only on breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth. Do this until there is only the breathing. This process will take most roughly five to ten minutes. This will help one become more focused.
Meditation is an important skill that everyone should master. Mediation will allow one to keep their focus in the roughest of times, and can help one to achieve all of their goals. This process will be an improvement to one’s mood and thought processes. Life will seem more inside one’s control, because one will be in control of themselves and their reactions. When one’s mind is clear, and feels calm, there is no limit to what one can achieve.
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