Meditation, it isn’t just for Birkenstock wearing, Granola eating hippies anymore…

5 things you need to know about meditation and a simple meditation to get you started today!

Many people still think of meditation as some kind of alternative lifestyle practice associated with hippies and the 60s. Meditation actually is an ancient practice that dates back thousands of years and today’s scientists are catching on to the endless benefits. From molding your brain to be healthier to contributing to a more peaceful society, to the ability to relax yourself and gather your thoughts anytime you need to, meditation can be a powerful tool. Meditation is also intricately tied to mindfulness because when you meditate, you are mindful by default. What goes on in our minds is explicitly tied to what we experience in our lives so building mindfulness can powerfully impact your quality of life. As an added bonus, meditation and mindfulness can also help slow down the aging process and let’s face it, who doesn’t need that?

The benefits to meditation are endless, but here are a few important ones to consider and hopefully motivate you to start meditating today!

1. It makes your brain plastic ~ Quite literally, sustained meditation can lead to something called neuroplasticity, which is defined as the brain’s ability to change structurally and therefore functionally on the basis of your experiences and environment. Up until the last 20 years, scientists believed the brain pretty much stopped changing once full adulthood was reached…approximately age 25. Scientists now know that the brain continues to lay down new neural pathways throughout life creating new connections while disrupting old ones and meditation can help to positively impact the brain’s structure during this process.

2. It promotes peace in society~ Lets face it; you can’t give what you don’t have. When you have more peace in your life, you positively affect those around you and this ripples out to society. Don’t believe it? Think back to a time when you were in a really lousy mood…undoubtedly, at times, you had a negative impact on others with your attitude or behaviors. When you have access to peace of mind and body, your thoughts, speech and actions will radiate the peace that you feel….allowing you to be positive influence on others.

3. It is a fast and easy way to reduce stress ~ Meditation can help increase serotonin levels, which is strongly correlated to feelings of well-being and happiness. Not to mention relaxing the body and mind can’t hurt!

4. Improves the quality of sleep ~ Being able to turn your mind off and relax can lead to better quality of sleep. For people who have trouble falling asleep, or staying asleep, having an easy to use meditation practice can ease the stress and anxiety about worrying about sleep and help you slip into a blissful slumber.

5. It can help lower blood pressure ~ Relaxation results in the formation of nitric oxide which opens up your blood vessels which helps increase blood flow and lowers heart rate. Research is consistently showing a strong correlation between mediation and lower levels of the stress hormone, Cortisol. Some people, under a doctor’s care, are even able to reduce their blood pressure medications with regular use of meditation.

The trick is to find a meditation that works for you. Here is a simple meditation to get you started; however there are literally dozens of meditation techniques available from mindfulness to guided imagery.

• Breath Meditation ~ Sit or lie down and simply be aware of your body. After several minutes, simply pay attention to your breathing as you inhale and exhale. Once you establish an awareness of a comfortable breathing pattern, on the inhale think “I am relaxing.” On the exhale think “I am relaxed.” Continue the process while allowing the body to relax and the mind to become softer. When your mind wonders, simply bring your attention back to your breathing…the breath becomes the anchor for awareness and mindfulness. If you are focused on the breath, you cannot hold onto stress…the two are mutually exclusive.

Everyone deserves to have more peace, less stress and to be the best they can be. Meditation and mindfulness are easy ways to have all that and more. The only question that remains is, what are you waiting for?

Coach Monique offers 2 programs, The Positively Life Changing 4-week Series and the Positively Life Changing Individual Coaching Program. Both programs are mindfulness –based emotional intelligence training programs that have a strong meditation element and provide easy to learn, easy to use and immediately relevant tools, techniques, strategies and education. It’s easier than you think and you will be happy you did.

For help managing stress, anxiety and worry, building connections and increasing your self-esteem, visit coachmonique.com, email monique@coachmonique.com or call (412) 400-2085.

Monique can also be found blogging under the "IT FEELS GOOD" section at www.rawhogs.com. Services also available through www.mystudioraw.com.