Meditation for Beginners. Podcast Episode 3

Mediation is a fantastic way change your way of being from “grumpy, stressed and angry” to “calm and happy”. There are heaps of benefits of meditation. Health benefits, emotional benefits and even being more productive.

People have been meditating for thousands of years. In recent years, we’ve started to study the effects of meditation.

Meditation for Beginners Podcast

Benefits of Meditation

There are so many health benefits to meditation that I’m not going to list them all.

Meditation also helps us sleep well which helps us reduce our stress levels.

Meditation has a direct impact on stress as well.

1. Stress reduction
2. Weight loss (ref https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29076610)
3. Anxiety
4. Productivity
5. Self awareness
6. Sleep
7. Health benefits: Pain
8. Blood pressure

Article of 76 positive benefits: https://liveanddare.com/benefits-of-meditation/

What is Meditation?

Essentially meditation is shutting off that “constant train of thought”. We stop focusing on the analytical part of our brain and focus on a place of stillness.

This allows “deeper thoughts” to come. Ever had a light bulb moment? Those are those “deeper thoughts” rather than the “constant chatter”.

The idea is to “observe” yourself and become more mindful or aware of how your brain thinks and works.

There are Different Types of Meditation

1. “Observing" Meditation.
2. Rewiring your brain meditation (see “How to Break the Habit of Being Yourself" by Dr Joe Dispenza.)
3. Transcendental meditation (teachings from Maharishi Mahesh Yogi from India in 50s and 60s.) Use a mantra for 15-20 minutes twice a day (is the technique used in many research studies.) According to wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcendental_Meditation)

How to Start Meditation

Meditation is a practice that takes time to perfect. When you start off you won’t be doing it “perfectly”.

Start by committing to 5-15 minutes a day.

Find a comfortable place. Find a time when you won’t be interrupted. Either sitting up right (not slumped) or lying down. (You’re more likely to fall asleep if you’re lying down.)

Remember to enjoy it!

1. Just get on with it (focus on your breathing or image a light or candle.)
2. Use an app such as Calm (free trial for 7 days) or Headspace (has a basic program for free.)
3. Go to a class or group.
4. Find free talk throughs on the internet.

Some Free Meditation Resources to Get Your Started

1. Guided meditations from UCLA.
2. Do Yoga With Me.
3. 70 Guided Meditations with Purpose Fairy.
4. Becky Sams (you need to sign up for that one)
5. Sign up for Robyn's free meditation. 
6. Sign up for a free "de stress" meditation with Lea.
7. The Inside Timer. A free meditation app. (Lots of people love it but I found it a bit overwhelming!)

Written by Dr Orlena Kerek

Dr Orlena is a medical doctor turned health coach. She helps busy mums go from "I can't lose weight" to feeling fit and fabulous. Find out more about her here.