Meditation is the practice of focusing your attention and train of thought to relax, reduce stress, and instill calmness and a sense of clarity.
Meditation is a slow process that takes time, patience and concentration. It is used for healing mental and physical disorders such as:
- Addictive behaviors like drug, nicotine and alcohol use
- Anxiety, stress and depression
- High blood pressure
- Pain
- Managing hot flashes (for menopausal women)
Meditation methods
1. Concentrative meditation, such as transcendental meditation, focuses on a single image, sound, or words spoken or sung in a pattern (mantra), or on your own breathing. Generally, concentrative meditation, or mantra meditation, is easier for beginners since it allows you to focus on one specific area that may be the source of your stress. Mantra meditation allows one to:
- become easily relaxed anywhere and anytime
- sleep better
- improve ability to solve problems independently
- improve concentration
2. Mindful meditation does not focus on a single image or sound, but rather allows the practitioner to receive and appreciate every aspect of experience. You are aware of all thoughts, feelings, sounds or images that pass through your mind.
Meditation for sleep
Sleep meditation is not considered a major meditation practice since it’s purpose is to enhance or induce restful sleep. This simply requires being in a state of deep relaxation. Since meditation techniques reduce stress, anxiety and restlessness – factors that prohibit sleep – when the mind ceases incessant thinking, sleep naturally follows.
If you want to develop skills to improve your meditation life, schedule an appointment with an iTherapy counselor today.
