What is meditation?

Meditation can be as simple as closing your eyes, clearing your thoughts, and breathing for a short period of time. The truth is there are a variety of meditation options available through prayer, guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), mindful movement, and even journaling. The list goes on and different techniques can be practiced to achieve a similar result. It’s simply about exploring the different modalities through personal experience, finding what works, and letting go of what doesn’t.

 

What are the benefits?

The benefits of meditation are endless. It can enhance mental clarity, reduce stress, improve focus, and promote emotional well-being. It has been linked to various health benefits, including decreased anxiety and improved self-awareness. Regular practice can lead to a calmer mind and increased mindfulness, which may positively impact overall quality of life.

 

How do I start?

Before you meditate, find a quiet spot. You can sit down in a chair or on the floor. You can even lay down if that is more comfortable for you (my preferred position). As you begin to practice, be patient. If your mind wanders, take a moment to pause and reflect and bring your attention back to the breath. And remember, the more you do it, the easier meditation becomes. With commitment, you can focus more deeply each time you settle to practice.

 

Meditation is available to all, requiring only a few minutes of quiet, an openness to try, and a willingness to let go. The mind is powerful – meditation is called a practice because like many things in life there is always room to grow and try again. Try this one on the RENEW homepage at www.smhrenew.com.

 

Healthy living article provided by Kara Saunders, a Health and Wellness Coach with Sarasota Memorial Health Care System’s Lifestyle Medicine Program, RENEW. The RENEW Program improves the health of the whole person, body, and mind. Many participants consistently lose weight, improve quality of life, gain energy, improve blood work, and ultimately reduce or get off

medications. Sign up today for the July 22nd program at www.smhrenew.com