Meditate much? You should…

Meditation is simply directed concentration, and involves learning to focus your awareness and direct it onto an object: your breath, a phrase or word repeated silently, or an image in the mind’s eye.

WHY MEDITATE?

The benefits of meditation go on and on, and include:

Helping to lower blood pressure without drugs

- Decreasing heart and respiratory rates

- Increasing blood flow

- Enhancing immune function

- Reducing perception of pain and relieving chronic pain due to arthritis and other disorders

- Maintaining level mood and easing depression

- Bringing awareness and mindfulness to everyday aspects of life

A super simple, yet completely effective form of meditation is to walk or sit quietly in a natural setting, like a park, and allow your thoughts and sensations to occur; observing them without judgment. Just acknowledge them and let them go.

When meditating, start slowly. Set a gentle timer for 10 minutes. Do this in the morning, before bed or anytime you’re feeling less than zen-like and in need of a chill pill. Increase the minutes as you get better at it.

All together now: Ommmmm……