Dr. Peter D’Adamo has been suggesting daily meditation to his patients since he began practicing medicine. He knew his patients that meditated on a regular, or semi-regular basis seemed healthier than his patients who didn’t. Now, a study out of Harvard Medical School discovered that practitioners of meditation and other relaxation methods had more active “disease fighting genes” than those who practiced no form of relaxation.
The scientists at Harvard found that genes that protect from disorders such as high blood pressure, rheumatoid arthritis, infertility and pain were switched on, resulting in what researchers believe is a phenomenon just as powerful as any pharmaceutical…without the side effects.
Want to get started in daily meditation? We’ve got a few tips.
- Make Time
Set aside 10 minutes each morning when you wake up for meditation. Many people find early morning the ideal time to meditate – other people in the house may still be asleep, so it’s quiet, and you’re not yet in full start-up motion, so it’s a little easier to settle your thoughts. - Find a Quiet Place
Find a room or a place outdoors where you won’t be disturbed and claim it as your own. Explain to family members that you are not to be disturbed. - Get Comfortable
Sit in a comfortable position, perhaps that’s the traditional lotus position, or in another manner that you find comfortable for your body. Rest your hands and relax your jaw – make sure that nothing in your body is tense. - Breathe
Close your eyes. Take deep breaths in through your nose, filling your lungs completely, then slowly and steadily blow the air out of your mouth. Take 10 deep breaths in this manner, focusing on your breath each time. - Focus
Some people prefer to chant a mantra when they meditate and others prefer simply to focus on an image that is relaxing to them. Consider imagining a beautiful waterfall – visualize the waterfall, hear the sound that it makes, smell the sweet water, feel the spray on your face. Imagine the waterfall washing away all the stress in your life, carrying it downstream, leaving you feeling light and relaxed.
Anyone and everyone can practice meditation. It can be done virtually anywhere, at any time, by people of any age. Practicing mindfulness daily is a great habit if you want to have better mental and emotional health and improve your quality of life.
