Meditation for Reducing Stress
Meditation. Stress affects people in many ways. It can have both physical and emotional effects and can be either positive or negative. On the positive side it can drive one to action, however there are more negative aspects of stress. The feelings associated with stress include anger, depression, and anxiety. These can lead to physical symptoms as well.
Stress is in fact the root cause of many of todays health problems. People are always looking for a quick fix or a magic eraser to rid stress. It is not possible to relieve stress and it is best to take a natural approach to help manage stress and to help prevent ill effects.
Meditation has the opposite effect on the body as that of stress. Meditation slows the rate of breathing, heart rate slows down and blood pressure normalizes. The adrenal glands dont produce as much cortisol and epinephrine hormones as are present in high amounts during times of stress.
This also improves immune function. Meditation helps to clear the mind, allowing for calming thoughts and even increased creativity and personal insight. Meditation restores the body to a calm state, allowing for the body to help repair itself along with the ability to help prevent new or further damage from the effects of stress.
Meditation is great because it is always available, doesnt cost anything and is extremely effective in short-term stress reduction as well as long-term health. Meditation can also be a spiritual practice. Many people experience meditation as a form of prayer, which brings them a sense of comfort and well being. There are a few ways to practice meditation.
All you need to start is a few minutes of privacy and quiet, some comfortable clothes and an open mind. The effects of meditation can often be felt the first time you practice. Basic meditation involves sitting in a comfortable position, eyes closed just trying to quiet your mind by thinking of nothing.
This does not always come easily right away for everyone. The basic idea is just to think of yourself as observing your own thoughts. Listening and observing to what is being thought, but not engaging. As thoughts materialize in your mind, you just let them go.
Today's Stress Cure FactNuclear Stress TestAn Introduction to Stress
In technical terms stress is a disruption of homeostasis, triggered by either real or perceived physical or psychological stimuli. Simply put an action or thought that disrupts normal balance. Stress is a term that is used often to describe many feelings or emotions. Anxiety, depression, distress, fear, and exhaustion are just some of these and are all feelings that can be described as stress. Stress is something that occurs all the time and affects everyone one way or another at least some of the time. Stress can be a good thing. It can be a source of motivation to help get something done or help one to react quickly to a potentially dangerous situation.
stress exercises
|
Stress Fighting Foods |
 |
Some people find it easier to do focused meditation. With this technique, you focus on something intently, but dont engage your thoughts about it. You may focus on something visual, something that you are listening to, or a simple concept. Many find it helpful just to focus on their own breathing. There are other types of meditation as well such as activity oriented and mindfulness techniques. These are basically about being in the moment. It gets easier with practice but meditation is something anyone can do.
To get started, the basic technique involves just a few steps:
1. Focus on the breath
2. Give your full attention to the feeling of the breath entering and leaving your body
3. Dwell in the present, moment by moment, breath by breath.
|
Guard against letting negative thoughts take over when stress arises. The best way to combat negative thinking is to, only focus on your positive achievements every day.
Whenever you begin to notice you are having negative thoughts, be sure to make yourself focus on the positive things in your life. |
4. Observe your mind with awareness moment to moment. If your attention wanders make note of it and bring it back into awareness of your breath.
5. Continue to pay attention to breathing, accepting each moment as it comes.
Natural Stress Cures for Today
08/12/2008
Ferguson Construction gets outpatient center contract (The Findlay Courier)
Blanchard Valley Health System officials announced at a ground-breaking ceremony Monday that Ferguson Construction will be the general contractor for the $11 million EasternWoods Outpatient Center.
Ferguson Construction gets outpatient center contract (The Findlay Courier)
09/04/2008
‘The Question of Global Warming’: An Exchange (New York Review of Books)
The New York Review received many letters concerning "The Question of Global Warming" by Freeman Dyson [ NYR , June 12]. Following are comments by William D. Nordhaus, whose book A Question of Balance: Weighing the Options on Global Warming Policies , was reviewed in the article, as well as letters from two other readers, along with a reply by Freeman Dyson.
‘The Question of Global Warming’: An Exchange (New York Review of Books)
09/04/2008
Peek at the Week (Niles Herald-Spectator)
Submissions for Community Calendar are required 10 days preceding the date of publication. Send to: Nicole Wagner, Managing Editor, Pioneer Press, 130 S. Prospect Avenue, Park Ridge IL 60068. Information may be faxed to (847) 696-3229 or e-mailed to nwagner@pioneerlocal.com.
Peek at the Week (Niles Herald-Spectator)
08/12/2008
Ferguson Construction gets outpatient center contract (The Findlay Courier)
Blanchard Valley Health System officials announced at a ground-breaking ceremony Monday that Ferguson Construction will be the general contractor for the $11 million EasternWoods Outpatient Center.
Ferguson Construction gets outpatient center contract (The Findlay Courier)
08/15/2008
Community Calendar (Edison-Norwood Times Review)
The Edison-Norwood Times Review welcomes items for our Community Calendar. Items must be received a minimum of 10 days prior to publication, but earlier is better. Items are printed as space allows, and publication is not guaranteed. E-mail items to parkridge@pioneerlocal.com; fax to (847) 696-3229; or mail to: Pioneer Press, 130 S. Prospect Ave., Park Ridge IL, 60068.
Community Calendar (Edison-Norwood Times Review)
08/23/2008
Post a Comment (Stuff)
Alternative medicine: Cure or comfort? Kathleen McMahon swears by chiropracty. "I come out and I want to dance. You want to jump for joy because everything feels in line."
Post a Comment (Stuff)
08/18/2008
Many Canadians stigmatize mentally ill, poll finds (CTV Winnipeg)
Many Canadians hold negative attitudes towards people with mental health issues, says a new poll released Monday by the Canadian Medical Association.
Many Canadians stigmatize mentally ill, poll finds (CTV Winnipeg)
| 
