The first thing that most people think of when they hear the word “stress” is that it has a negative connotation. This is usually because we relate it to too long work hours, burnout at work, and negative interaction with friends, co-workers, and family members. In other situations, stress is also related to mental health issues, such as anxiety.
However, stress isn’t entirely a bad thing; it’s how our body responds to external stimuli from the environment. Of course, if we go on a run, our heart rate rises since our body needs to release even more energy. When we have many workloads, stress usually helps keep us up to finish everything promptly.
However, too much “bad” stress can cause health complications. This is usually in the form of high blood pressure. Fortunately, there are a variety of natural and low-cost remedies to stress, such as meditation. The general premise of meditation is that focusing on your breathing and gaining positive energy by attuning to your surroundings is one of the best ways of managing stress.
So what are some positive effects of meditating? How do you effectively attune to your environment and draw in positive energy? Here’s what you’ll need to know.
How Does Meditation Work?
But before we discuss how to properly, we have first to discuss the “science” behind the positive effects of meditating regularly. We will also need to define what is considered meditation.
Historically, meditation is known for being one of the oldest known practices. Most would say that it has deep roots in the Indian subcontinent. However, many other nations across Asia have been practicing their own version of meditation.
Basically, meditation is a process of attaining a state of consciousness. However, this is quite different from the usual type of consciousness you know when you are awake. Basically, there are different levels of mindfulness that a person can achieve, and the surroundings will usually play a role in how you attune with yourself.
Simply speaking, meditation is a way of resting your mind and calming down your body. A mind that is rested and relaxed will be more aware of its surroundings. This is one of the reasons why most people will usually associate meditation with achieving focus and mindfulness.
So what are some important ways of gaining more energy from meditation? Here’s what you’ll need to know.
Getting Creative with Your Surroundings
First and foremost, your environment will play an integral role in your meditation process. Theoretically, energy is flowing through everything, and we gain much of our energy from where we are. If we are at a party, we get stimulated and engaged when people are also stimulated. The same can be said when it comes to meditation.
If you’re planning on meditating, most experts would suggest putting some time and effort into keeping your designated environment clean. Since meditation will usually have to deal with your senses, you will need to ensure that it’s quiet, there are no distractions, and a flat surface that you are comfortable in. Most would suggest investing in a lush and beautiful garden.
You might want to consider using short and cost-effective Kikuyu grass for your garden’s soil since it’s known for taking little-to-no maintenance, tolerant to different weather conditions. You can be easily trimmed for maximum comfort when you are meditating.
Practice Regularly
Contrary to what most people think, attaining a higher level of awareness can’t just be achieved in a snap of a finger. The best way of becoming a meditator and achieving a higher state of mind is by making it into a routine and a habit. Studies have shown that it takes someone around 66 days to make something into a habit. Other experts would suggest doing your meditation in conjunction with another activity, like drinking tea. This will help you get into the mindset of meditating.
Get Comfortable
Although most people might think that you need to sit in a cross-legged position to meditate, you don’t necessarily have to do that as long as you are comfortable, then you can stick to it. However, some meditation styles, such as yoga, will require you to try out different positions.
Meditation is one of the best ways of relaxing your mind while also living a more wholesome lifestyle. Being able to relax while gaining a good degree of awareness will allow you to have a more positive outlook on life. The bottom line? There’s really no one “ultimate” way of meditating, and this will depend on the style you’re most comfortable with. Even if you have a hectic lifestyle, meditation will only take you a couple of minutes in a day. Soon, you’ll be able to reap the benefits of meditating for your health and well-being.