Meditation is one of the best natural ways to decrease anxiety. It is very important to manage anxiety as it affects much more than our mental health. Anxiety also affects our physical health significantly. Stress has been linked to cardiovascular illness, hormone imbalances, and skin disorders. It also lowers the immune system significantly so we are more at risk for any disease. It even prevents us from absorbing nutrients from our food. This is why stress management is just as important as eating a healthy diet for overall health.
Meditation teaches you to be mindful and to stop worrying about the past and the future which is what anxiety is. When you are able to fully focus on the present moment there is no worry and you truly enjoy what you are engaging in. We need to learn this, especially in our world today as we are accustomed to multi-tasking and are chronically on electronics. This is detrimental to our health. Meditation promotes calmness and clarity. If practised regularly, stress decreases and will not have the same impact. You will react to stress in a different way.
I always thought I could not do meditation never mind enjoy it. Now, I enjoy the results so much that I do it every day. I feel like a much calmer person and I am more focused. I do not feel so tired all of the time with that burnt out feeling. I can deal with stress without experiencing physical effects that often go along with it. I rarely ever have any trouble sleeping. I feel I am a better therapist and have more energy to help others. I could go on and on about the benefits. I also practice with my clients in session and put it in there treatment plans.
They too have experienced many benefits children included. I often have children with school anxiety to practice before school and children with sleeping difficulties practice before bedtime.
I like guided meditation the best as it is easier for me to stay focused on someone else’s instructions. I become relaxed almost immediately after starting now that I have been doing it for a while. Your brain almost becomes trained to relax on cue. I use videos on youtube from my iPhone. It’s easy enough for anyone to do and it is free. The iPhone also has free apps you can download as well. Try to start with 5 minutes then build up to 10 and if you have time go even longer. Please give it a try especially if you have anxiety. I promise it will be worth it!