Meditation and Stress Management
Studies strongly suggest that stress is the number one cause of death. Exposure to prolonged periods of stress may cause heart attacks, strokes, and some forms of cancer in certain individuals. When left unmanaged stress can manifest a wide range of symptoms and affect every part of the body.
In actuality, stress isn't a bad thing. Stress is normal, and necessary. Our reaction to stress is our body's natural defense mechanism that warns us of impending danger and stimulates the release of brain chemicals intended to help us. When the body perceives the threat of stress it produces powerful hormones including adrenaline and cortisol.
Adrenaline produces the "fight-or-flight" response. It speeds up the heart rate and increases blood sugar to prepare the body to exert a burst of energy. Adrenaline is intended to be used on as "as-needed" basis, not an "all-day, every-day" basis.
Cortisol is the primary stress hormone and affects multiple areas of the body. It increases blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and suppresses the digestive and reproductive systems. Cortisol produces byproducts which act as sedatives and can induce depression. Overproduction of cortisol can lead to certain personality or behavioral disorders.
In today's rushed society, a large percentage of people are living in constant fight-or-flight mode. When your body is constantly overstressed it is continuously flooded with stress hormones. Overproduction of stress hormones can lead to obesity, insomnia, heart disease, depression, digestive ailments and other complications.
Taking steps to relax your body and mind can significantly reduce the impact of stress on your body. Meditation is one of the easiest and most affordable solutions for managing stress. It can be performed in the privacy of your home and requires little time.
Oftentimes, when people hear the word 'meditation' they conjure up thoughts of Buddhist monks praying in a temple. While this sometimes is the case, it is not the norm. There are many forms of meditation -- Buddhist, Native American, Tibetan, New Age -- and the techniques used vary considerably.
Meditation is frequently connected with certain religions. While it's true some people practice meditation in conjunction with their spiritual practices, many people use it solely as a tool for physical and psychological well-being.
Scientific research has shown meditation and the meditative state (the altered state of mind that is reached during meditation, hypnosis, guided imagery) to be effective in treating anxiety, stress, depression, low self-esteem and other behavior and psychological disorders. The meditative state can help lower blood pressure, manage chronic pain and slow, or reverse aging.
The altered state of mind achieved in meditation and hypnosis has proven to be one of the safest and most effective treatments for chronic diseases including arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, gastrointestinal disorders, allergies, heart disease and cancer.
Engaging in regular meditation or self-hypnosis can lead to improved physical and mental health, but it takes time to see the results. This is a lifestyle change that requires commitment in order to obtain profound changes. It's unrealistic to expect chronic stress to disappear and never return after a 15-minute meditation session.
Over time, meditation can bring balance to the mind, body and spirit. It can help you get through each day without having a meltdown or angry outburst.
The altered state of mind reached in Meditation or self-hypnosis is relatively easy to learn. It's possible to learn meditation by attending a class given at a health or community center. Attending classes on a regular basis can help you stick with the practice and allows you to interact with the instructor.
If classes are not an option for you, meditation books and CDs may prove helpful. Meditation CDs are a convenient way to engage in meditation on a regular basis. You can listen to them whenever you need to relax and unwind. You can learn self hypnosis by contacting a trained hypnotherapist. This can be done one-on-one, or can even be done by telephone.
Mini Meditations are a collection of 15- or 30-minute meditation sessions directed at a specific topic. "Relaxation Vacation" and "Today is Going to Go Perfectly" are popular choices for individuals dealing with acute or chronic stress.
Created by Tracy Bonczyk, Master Hypnotist and Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, Mini Meditations are the perfect solution for people on the go. These can be downloaded easily. Pop one into your CD player before you head to work and you'll be able to effectively manage whatever stress is thrown your way. Listen to Mini Meditations before you go to bed and rediscover what it feels like to sleep through the night again.
Mini Meditations can help you manage your stress, while promoting physical and psychological well-being. To learn more about the topics available visit our Product Page.