The popularity of meditation as a way to alleviate stress soared in recent years. This is manifested by the emergence of different forms of meditation techniques. It is also known as a relaxation technique. Men and women all over the world are incorporating the said relaxation method into their daily routines. Nevertheless, others are leery of the said concept due to ignorance regarding the real nature and proper application of the same. It is imperative to take a closer look at this ancient relaxation technique because it promises to help in treating people with mental and physical disorders.
According to practitioners, meditation is a mental method that enables the individual to focus on a single item. The development of the said methodology was based on the idea that an ordinary human being suffers from mental clutter as the thought process is bombarded with numerous ideas and things that require immediate attention. The effective use of meditation causes the mind to ignore this so-called mental clutter. As a result, the mind enters a state of relaxation. Practitioners of this ancient art of relaxation focus on one item to achieve homeostasis or the natural balance between mind and body.
There are numerous ways to meditate. However, experts agree that the practitioner must have access to a quiet environment where he or she can practice the said method without disturbance. It is also important to choose a certain relaxed position. Finally, it is imperative to have a point of mental focus.
It is also crucial to remember that this technique is not an attempt to empty the mind because this is an impossible goal. The pursuit of the “empty mind” framework leads to frustration as he or she struggles to achieve homeostasis. It is best to focus only on one item. A mental device is needed to achieve this goal. Practitioners call this mental device a mantra. It is oftentimes expressed as a repetition of a word or a phrase – the object on which the brain focuses its attention to relax the mind and body.
Herbert Benson and his colleagues at Harvard discovered that stress-related diseases responded favorably to the application of the said ancient art of relaxation. Impressive results included improvement in the breathing patterns of the patients suffering from bronchial asthma, lower blood pressure for hypertensive patients, and the reduction in the symptoms of psychiatric disorders.
Psychologists also noted that people who incorporated meditation techniques into their routine reported improvements in job performance and job satisfaction. They also reported less fear and more positive mental health. It is interesting to point out that this type of relaxation method enabled many people to improve their short-term and long-term recall. Some of the practitioners also asserted that they were able to sleep better at night.
Meditation is simple and yet effective. Nevertheless, there is no way to fully understand how it works. The most important thing to remember is that it is a helpful tool that allows people to deal with stress and the ailments that are associated with anxious and stressful living. Those who succeeded in integrating meditation into their current lifestyle are affirming that there is nothing comparable to it when it comes to regaining balance, restoring energy, and bringing peace and tranquility to their lives.