Connecting the mind & body through Mindful Meditation

The history of meditation is very ancient and has many speculations, but many believe it began around 3000 BCE in India but the earliest documented evidence to support this theory was found in 1500 BCE. The development of other meditation forms between 600-500 BCE were also recorded in Taoist China and Buddhist India. The practice of meditation continued to spread to other cultures around the globe and is part of many religions worldwide to date. 

The word meditation comes from the Latin term meditatum which means ‘to ponder’; although this definition was first used in the 12th century AD. 

Although meditation is used in many religious practices, meditation is and can be practiced without religious purposes. Meditation itself is “a set of techniques that are intended to encourage a heightened state of awareness and focused attention” which really allow people to connect their mind and body. 

Different types of meditation exist but the most commonly practiced kind is mindfulness. Mindfulness meditation is when you focus on being intensely aware of what you’re seeing and feeling in that moment, without interpretation or judgement. It involves breathing methods, guided imagery and other practices to help the body and mind relax and reduce stress. 

Benefits of mindfulness meditation can be observed in all aspects of our health. It improves our overall well-being by supporting attitudes that contribute to a satisfied life, helps us feel fully engaged in activities, and creates a greater capacity to deal with adverse effects. It also improves our physical health by relieving stress, lowering blood pressure, reducing chronic pain, and improving sleep. Our mental health also improves through mindfulness as it is an important element to help treat a number of issues such as depression, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse. The benefits of mindfulness are abundant yet so many people do not take part in it because they do not know where to start or believe it takes too much time. Thankfully, mindfulness meditation can be however long you’d like it to be and there are many guides, books and videos to help you begin your practice. Plus, you can do it anywhere! 

I personally love to meditate before bed as this allows me to reflect on my day and get rid of any stress and anxiety I have to allow for a better tomorrow. It also helps me fall into a deeper, more restful and uninterrupted sleep. I just YouTube search a guided meditation for a topic such as success, good grades, etc. (or whatever I need for that day) and allow myself 10-15 minutes to connect with myself and my breathing. There are also plenty of free apps that have guided meditations such as Oak and Eternal sunshine. The point is, mindfulness meditation is easy to access, can be done anywhere, and does not need to take up much of your day if you’re busy. Just think of it as a small moment to check in on yourself and allow yourself to feel whatever you need without judgement. It’ll do wonders of good for all aspects of your life.