WHY MEDITATION SHOULD BE APART OF YOUR DAILY ROUTINE

WHY MEDITATION SHOULD BE APART OF YOUR DAILY ROUTINE If there was ever a good time for mental health to be at the front of everyone's mind, it’s right now. The silver lining to the absolute tailspin that is the year 2020 is that we have all been forced to take a step back and have a good hard look at our mental health and wellness. So, whether you’re new to meditation, or are just starting out, here is why meditation should become a non-negotiable part of your daily routine… for the rest of 2020 and beyond. 3. Benefits of Meditation That Relate to Mental Health #1 - MEDITATION REDUCES STRESS Numerous scientific studies have shown that meditation can actually lower the levels of cortisol, the “stress hormone”, in the blood. While you’re focusing on your breath or a particular train of thought, your body has a chance to relax and unwind, letting levels of cortisol gradually lower. So, let’s take a deep breath, and let it allll out. #2 - MEDITATION CAN HELP TO MANAGE ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION When practising meditation, we focus on one thing. This one thing could be our breath, our posture or our thoughts. Studies have shown that meditation can assist in training the brain to focus on the present moment and to focus on one thing. This increased focus can give sufferers of anxiety or

depression the ability to override the negative thoughts, by creating and focusing on one positive thought. #3 - MEDITATION CAN CURB EMOTIONAL REACTIONS As you become more practiced with meditation and calming your thoughts, you can start to explore and build awareness of particular emotions. You might ask yourself where they come from, and why you felt them. Maybe today you just feel downright cranky for no good reason, and that’s okay! Simply learning to be aware of our emotions, and acknowledging how we really feel about certain things, can help us to curb any emotional overreactions in their tracks. How to Get Started & Tips to a Successful Practice So, now that we understand some key mental health benefits of daily meditation, let’s look at how you can get started! START SLOWLY Would you start a completely new gym program with exercises you’d never done before and head straight for the heaviest weights possible? Hint, the answer is no! It’s exactly the same process when starting your new daily meditation practice. Ease yourself into meditation with committing to as little as 3 minutes per day. You might think that 3 minutes isn’t going to do anything, but research has shown that when it comes to meditation, frequency is more important than duration.

The key is to find your sweet spot - what is the perfect length of time for you and your routine! GET COMFORTABLE It’s easy to think that meditation only counts when we are twisting ourselves into really uncomfortable positions; we have social media #goals to thank for that! But the truth is, you can meditate however you like! Pick a position that is comfortable for you, and will allow you to focus on your practice. START WITH GUIDED MEDITATIONS Whether you use an app, or find great guided meditations on YouTube, starting with guided practices can help you to keep you accountable in your meditation goals, and to help you find your focus and flow. The Bottom Line The benefits of daily meditation practice extend far beyond those relating to our mental health, but there really has never been a better time to focus on how we can improve our mental health and well-being. With meditation being free, and easy to incorporate, there really is no reason why it couldn’t be an integral part of our daily lives. So, why not get started today!%MCEPASTEBIN%