Mindful Meditation
Are you ready for the holiday season? Are you handling the drastic weather changes well? Do you feel either random or constant stress? There are various methods of coping with stress and relieving anxiety–especially when tensions are high during busier seasons–from use of essential oils to therapeutic massage and acupuncture. One commonly overlooked and underestimated method of stress relief is being researched more in the last two years than ever before: meditation.
Mindfulness meditation can result in genuine relaxation of body and mind, mental clarity, and an overall state of calm. There are many ways to begin meditation and the best part about meditation is that it is an extremely personal and unique experience. By focusing both breathing and one’s mind on the self and mindfulness, the possibilities are endless while also, inherently, beneficial. Some of the other positive effects of mindfulness and meditation include more emotional balance, less anxiety and stress, better focus, more compassion, a greater sense of calm, more creativity, improved immunity, lower blood pressure, improved digestion…and the list goes on!
According to researchers at the Johns Hopkins University and Hospital, 30 minutes of daily meditation may improve symptoms of depression and anxiety. “A lot of people use meditation, but it’s not a practice considered part of mainstream medical therapy for anything,” says Madhav Goyal, M.D., M.P.H., an assistant professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and leader of a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine. “But in our study, meditation appeared to provide as much relief from some anxiety and depression symptoms as what other studies have found from antidepressants.”
The study included over 3,000 participants with various mental and physical health issues, including depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, substance use, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and chronic pain. Moderate improvement of pain and symptoms associated with anxiety and depression was discovered following the introduction of meditation into the participant’s daily routine.
At Element, we offer private and semi-private guided meditation sessions as well as various, monthly workshop that can guide beginners to meditation down a path of mindfulness. If that interests you, call or email us and we would be happy to answer any and all questions you may have.
For more information of the Johns Hopkins research follow this link: http://www.