How meditation can improve your health
Meditation is an ancient tradition that helps focus on your thoughts, body or objects around you in order to gain peace and awareness. Many people meditate to improve their sleep or alleviate stress and anxiety in their daily lives.
But what types are most beneficial, and how can you add them to your schedule if you’re ready to try?
Benefits of Meditation
Meditation is a way for many people to restore calm and peace, lower blood pressure, improve sleep and enjoy other health benefits.
It can also help people manage illnesses like:
- Asthma.
- Cancer.
- Chronic pain.
- Depression.
- Tension headaches.
Types of Meditation
There are various meditation methods, and you can choose more than one.
Here are some popular ones to try:
- Progressive muscle relaxation starts at your head or toes and moves through your whole body to relax tense muscles and assist with sleep or chronic pain.
- Mindfulness meditation to stay aware of the moment, drive away negative emotions, improve memory and temper emotional responses.
- Loving kindness focuses on directing positive energy and kindness toward ourselves and others while releasing negative feelings.
- Spiritual meditation helps you gain greater clarity of religious connections to a higher power and assist with spiritual growth.
- Movement meditation includes yoga, walking or other low-impact movements to foster deeper connections to your body and the moment.
- Visualization centers your thoughts on the details of a thing or person to lift your spirits, lower anxiety and provide calm.
- Chanting is a way to focus on the sound of the words and melody to promote well-being and compassion.
Adding Meditation to Your Daily Routine
Meditating for a few minutes daily can provide benefits. But one or two weekly sessions are okay, too, if that’s all the time you have.
While it can be beneficial, meditation is only one piece of your pathway to good health. Reach out if you have any questions or concerns about your health insurance coverage or benefits.