The Miracle of Meditation!

Hey there!

No seriously, I know your mind is going in a million other directions, because let’s face it, you are a Mom or a Father, or a Daughter, or a Son.

We each have a billion things on our plate. Our brains can’t keep quiet for one second, especially when there is a cell phone around. I see you; you are making a list in your head, how did I know? Did you know I can read minds? No, not really. I could read your mind because that is what I do myself. What I need to get from the grocery, where do I have to take the kids, what is for dinner, how many people I need to talk to, when I’ll go to the gym, did the kids do their homework, the list goes on and on…

Connecting with your spiritual self is so important in healing as well as preventing chronic disease… we need to connect with our soul. Meditation is a perfect way to do that. -Tweet this

Meditation changes the brain, literally—the whole brain.

Meditation Changes the Brain.

Studies have proven that meditation can change the entire brain by:

• Altering gray matter volume
• Preserving the aging brain
• Increasing neuronal activity in emotional areas, frontal areas, and areas related to emotion regulation, self-control, and positive emotions.

Many studies have explored the relationship between mindful meditation and the reduction of symptoms of depression, anxiety (even social anxiety), and pain.

Meditation can also:

• Increase productivity by increasing focus and memory
• Reduce the risk of heart attack and strokes
• Increases longevity
• Decreases atherosclerosis in carotid arteries
• Increases sensitivity to circulating insulin

Many of my patients are skeptical when I first tell them that something as simple as meditation could be their best cure. After all, the word meditation quite often conjures up the image of someone in the lotus position, eyes closed and looking peaceful, something that likely requires a great deal of practice, patience, time, and effort, and so people put it off.

There are so many types of meditation, like mindfulness, transcendental meditation, yoga meditation, Zen, seated meditation, and guided meditation, just to name a few.

Let’s talk about mindfulness, a meditation you can take wherever you go.

Mindfulness is how you’re feeling right now, in THIS moment, internally and externally. Staying calm and present in the current moment will help to bring your nervous system back into balance and decrease stress.

Being present helps you to not worry about the past and future, and it limits stress; it can be applied to almost any activity you are engaging in (eating, exercising, walking, meditation, and/or working). – Tweet this

To practice mindful meditation, choose a quiet, relaxing, and comfortable environment. Keep your spine straight, sitting up. Choose a point of focus—an internal feeling, external word or phrase, a calming imaginary scene, or an object in your surroundings. Eyes can be either open or closed. Develop an observant, noncritical attitude, becoming aware of your physical sensations.

How to Remember to Be Mindful All the Time

• Set an intention and write it down. …
• Tell others your intention. …
• Check in with this intention every morning. …
• Put visual reminders everywhere. …
• Have a morning practice. …
• Have regular check-in times. …
• Slowly add mindfulness bells. …
• Review at the end of your day.

The Miracle of Meditation!

If you do get distracted, gently turn your attention back to your point of focus. Concentrate on your breath and be grateful.

One can easily combine a relaxation technique like progressive muscle relaxation; focus on each of the sensations in each body part, and imagine yourself hovering above yourself, allowing your breath to go beyond your body, allowing you to notice how your body feels (also known as body scan meditation). We love to combine it with gratitude, being thankful the present and everything in it.

Concentration meditation techniques, as well as other activities such as tai chi or yoga, can induce the well-known relaxation response, which is very valuable in reducing the body’s response to stress. Mindfulness meditation builds upon concentration practices. Here’s how it works: Go with the flow.

So, it’s easy to connect with your heart and soul. Try these simple strategies today! Your future self will thank you!

Dr. Madiha – Holistic Mom MD

RELATED ARTICLE: Gratitude Heals!

Taking Your Life Back,

Madiha Saeed, MD ABIHM

Holistic Mom, MD

PS: Get your FREE copy of Healing Bundle.

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