If someone told you that you could be smarter, more aware of your surroundings, and happier by practicing at least 5 minutes of meditation every day, would you believe them?
You might be skeptical at first glance, but you may want to reconsider. Americans are only just starting to understand the benefits of meditation; however, the tradition has existed in the eastern world for generations. The ability to control the mind through meditation has infinite effects, starting with enhanced focus, clearer vision, and a more positive outlook. The wonderful news is that you receive exactly what you put into your practice. The more you give; the more you get!
Today, we're going to talk about meditation for stress.
Meditation: The Key to a Happy Mind
Wondering exactly how meditation helps with stress? A small study found that meditating for just 20 minutes a day helps increase energy levels and decrease anxiety and stress, as shown by measuring participating individuals' levels of stress hormones.
That's right, it's possible to completely transform your life just by carving out 20 minutes a day to sit and focus on your breath. However, meditation isn't as easy as it seems. Otherwise, everyone would probably be doing it. It's challenging to sit in silence, especially in the digital age when electronics and social media are constantly demanding our attention.
If the idea of 20 silent minutes sounds daunting to you, start with 5 minutes, then work your way up to 10 and 20 over time. Don't get discouraged if your mind is moving in a million different directions. Be patient with yourself. The most important thing is consistently trying. As the Zen master and Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hahn said, "Don't just do something, sit there!"
Final Thoughts
If you're looking for more ways to combat stress in your life, schedule a complimentary breakthrough call with me. I'll help you introduce small, incremental changes into your routine that can lead to monumental positive shifts.
