In our hectic, fast paced, go-go-go society, it’s not hard to become stressed, anxious and overwhelmed. Add to that mix being a Black woman and the stress-o-meter just got a little higher. Meditation is one practice that you can incorporate into your daily routine to help you cope with the everyday stresses of life. So what exactly is mediation? Meditation is a practice to train one’s attention and awareness to achieve a calm and stable state. There’s no right or wrong way to meditate and it doesn’t have to take hours. Also, meditating regularly can have some really positive benefits. Here are a few:
Improved Focus
One of the many benefits of meditation is improved focus. With so many things going on in our lives and having to be responsible for so much, it’s no wonder our minds are always racing. It’s reported that the average human being has between 6,000 to 8,000 thoughts per day. That’s a lot. Part of the practice of meditation is to train your mind to focus on one thing. Guided meditations are particularly good at helping to pinpoint your focus. Once you’ve learned to improve your focus through meditation, you can apply the technique to other areas of your life. Improved focus often leads us to being more productive.
Clarity
Another one of the benefits of meditation is clarity. With so many thoughts running through our minds at any given time, it can be hard to maintain clarity. Since meditation generally requires you to limit your focus, it also helps you clear your mind of the unnecessary, unimportant thoughts that that only serve as distractions.
Relaxation
Relaxation is another benefit of meditation. Meditation usually requires you to find a quiet, calm and peaceful space for you to practice in. Also, meditation generally calls for you to close your eyes so you’re not being distracted by anything around you. I don’t know about you, but I find it hard not to relax in a calm, quite space, with my eyes closed.
Better Breathing
Now this may sound like a weird benefit of meditation, but better breathing is also a benefit. Meditation, especially guided meditation, calls for you to focus on your breathing. Think about it – how often do you take a nice, deep breath? Chances are you never even thought about your breathing until just now. I didn’t really give my breathing much thought until I started meditating. Deep breathing is said to enhance stamina, release toxins, relieve general body aches and pains and reduce tension, among other things.
Better Rest
One of the best benefits of meditation is better rest. Far too may people suffer from restlessness and poor sleep due to anxiety and racing thoughts. It’s hard to sleep when you’re worried about the bills, the kids, work, etc. When you incorporate some of the techniques you learn through meditation – trained focus, deep breathing, and relaxation – it’s hard not to feel rested. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been so relaxed during a guided meditation that I’ve fallen asleep (and I’m talking knocked out sleep).
If you want to take up meditation, but aren’t sure where to start, there are a number of meditation apps that can help you get started. Here are a few to consider:
If you’re new to meditation, a guided meditation can be a great place to start. Here’s one to check out:
Do you meditate? What benefits have you gained from meditation? What tools do you use to help you meditate?