Meditation Information

Stress: Guilty As Charged


How To Defend Yourself

Do you ever find yourself feeling overwhelmed? Do you sometimes feel like you just have too much to think about? Does it make you tired, irritable, or even depressed? What can you do about it?

People rarely go to the doctor to say "I think I have stress," and yet the National Institutes of Health say that 80% of illnesses are caused by stress, directly or indirectly. Hormones, such as adrenalin, are released into your blood when you're stressed. This causes a rise in blood pressure, a faster heart and breathing rate, and faster conversion of glycogen into glucose. These are good things if you need to escape a charging grizzly bear, but when these effects are prolonged, the immune system is depressed, and your body suffers other negative changes.

Common effects of prolonged stress include fatigue, pain in the muscles and joints, headache, mental confusion, depression, anxiety, and irritability. Stress reactions cause your body to use too much energy, which can result in physical and mental weakness.

Managing Stress With Meditation

Years ago at Stanford University, an analysis of 146 meditation studies was done. The conclusion was that meditation not only was beneficial at the time of practice, but that it significantly reduced anxiety as a character trait. The studies focused on transcendental meditation, but it's probable most methods have similar results. (Reported in the Journal of Clinical Psychology 45: 957­974, 1989.)

The bottom line is that stress is a killer, and that meditation really can help you defend yourself. Traditional meditation may have the most beneficial effects, but maybe you're short on time, or uncertain about learning to meditate. In that case, there are two simple techniques you can learn in a few minutes, and start using today.

The first is a breathing meditation. Close your eyes, let the tension drain from your muscles, let go of your thoughts (to the extent possible), and breath deeply through your nose, paying attention to your breath. As thoughts or sensations arise, just acknowledge them and return your attention to your breath as it goes in and out. Do this for five or ten minutes.

To use the second technique, stop whatever you're doing when you feel stressed, and take three deep breaths. Watch yourself until you identify what is bothering you. Are you worried about something? Is there a letter you need to write? Maybe your neck is sore. Note everything you find.

Now deal with these stressors. Write the letter that's on your mind, take an aspirin, put things on tomorrow's list. If the best you can do is recognise there's nothing you can do right now - then do that. With practice, you'll get better at finding what's just below the surface of consciousness, irritating you. After you address these things, close your eyes, take three deep breaths, and you'll feel more relaxed and able to think clearly. Try it now.

Steve Gillman has meditated and studied meditation for over twenty years. You can visit his website, and subscribe to The Meditation Newsletter at: http://www.TheMeditationSite.com/newsletter.html


MORE RESOURCES:

New York Times

The Visionary
New York Times, United States - 7 hours ago
I hear you’re starting an online series on transcendental meditation, based on your book “Catching the Big Fish.” Is the small screen a good format for ...


How To Feel Like A Meditation Master in 20 Minutes
About - News & Issues, NY - 1 hour ago
I'm still a beginner at meditation, and it takes me quite a while just to calm down. And like many beginning (and even experienced) meditators, ...


Scout completes path, garden for meditation
East Brunswick Sentinel,  USA - Nov 20, 2008
EAST BRUNSWICK — A new meditation path and garden are open for all to enjoy, thanks to local Boy Scout Shawn O'Grady. Shawn, a ninth-grader at Churchill ...


Meditation and yoga prescribed for Wall Street brokers
Mangalorean.com, India - Nov 20, 2008
In search of a remedy, more and more brokers are taking calming classes in yoga and meditation, the New York Times reported. ...


Examiner.com

Meet Dyan Garris and learn about money and manifesting
Examiner.com - 11 hours ago
A journal is available separately as an integrative tool for use with the cards and a meditation journal is also available for use with the CDs. ...
Go far beyond 'The Secret' and learn what really works Examiner.com
all 2 news articles


GUEST MEDITATION
Greene County Record, VA - 22 hours ago
By Rev. Wendell Lamb Guest Correspondent “What must I do to be saved?” This question was asked by a Philippian jailer; and the answer that Paul and Silas ...


Vanderbilt University News

Vanderbilt neuroscience research featured at annual conference in ...
Vanderbilt University News, TN - 47 minutes ago
Despite growing interest in meditation and mind-body practices, questions remain regarding what is happening in the brain during meditation. ...


Meditation centre at Bandra park irks locals
Daily News & Analysis, India - Nov 20, 2008
The 2528-sq.m recreation ground (RG) has a meditation centre, four toilets, a washing area and two rooms constructed by the Brahmakumaris. ...


: Open your mind to divine union with the art of whirling
Indian Express, India - 3 hours ago
The Whirling Dervishes have perfected this form of meditation over a period of 700 years. Whirling was popularised by the Sufi poet Mevlana Jelalludin Rumi ...


Unique Muscial and Scriptural Rosary Project to be Released ...
Catholic Online, CA - Nov 20, 2008
The project, known as the Mary, Queen of Peace Meditation Guide & Sung Rosary, will be released officially on November 22, 2008 with a pre-Advent retreat ...

Meditation - Google News

home | site map
© 2006