Did you meditate today? If you haven't already made a meditation practice part of your wellness routine, May is the perfect time to get started. It's National Meditation Month.
Everyone can benefit from meditation, whether they are in good health, coping with a new diagnosis, or living with a chronic illness. This simple wellness practice helps people balance their emotions and feel centered.
The Health Benefits of Meditation
If you have a busy schedule, you may initially be reluctant to set aside time for meditation. It’s worth finding a few minutes a day to get started, because meditation is a valuable tool for reducing stress. If you struggle with anxiety, depression, or insomnia, studies show that meditation helps with those, too.
Meditation is also good for your heart. Using data from more than 61,000 people, researchers found that meditation is associated with lower cardiovascular risk. People who meditated were 51% as likely to have coronary artery disease as people who didn't meditate. High cholesterol, diabetes, stroke, and high blood pressure were also less prevalent in the meditation group.
Meditation and breathing exercises can sharpen your mind, and they're also helpful for patients managing chronic pain.
Another study found that adults who completed a two-week mindfulness training on their smartphone experienced reduced feelings of loneliness. Meditation has many benefits — and no side effects.
How to Start Meditating
If you’re new to meditation, there’s no need to sign up for a week-long silent meditation retreat. Instead, start small, and meditate for a few minutes a day. The New York Times’ “How to Meditate” page has tips that’ll help you get started, including a few guided meditations. UCLA Health also offers free guided meditations on their website.
To build meditation into your daily routine, consider downloading a meditation app. Some apps are fee-based, but you may be able to get a free or discounted subscription through your workplace or health insurance company. One meditation app we like is Ten Percent Happier, which offers a wide variety of guided meditations, sleep meditations, courses on meditation and mindfulness techniques, and more.
Meditation Enhances Your Overall Wellness
At Better Health Advisors, we take a holistic approach to physical and mental health. We work with people of all ages and health conditions, and we create a customized plan to help each person address their health issues and maintain good health. In addition to connecting people with top doctors and specialists, we often recommend meditation.
Whether someone has a stressful career or is experiencing a high-stress medical situation, meditation can help them clear their head, process their emotions, and make better treatment decisions. Meditation is a valuable tool in everyone’s wellness toolbox.
If you have questions about your physical or mental health, reach out to an expert health advisor. They will answer your questions, connect you with top providers, and help you get the care you need.
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