4 Easy Steps Towards Mindful Meditation
Throughout the decades, meditation has been very much mystified in this part of the world. We imagine men in monasteries doing nothing but hum and sit still from dawn to dusk. While this scenario does exist in some places, this isn’t entirely representative of what meditation can be for the average American. Truth is, you don’t need to be a Buddhist monk to reap the benefits of meditation – all you need is a few minutes of your day and a whole lot of patience.
Why Should Healthcare Professionals Meditate?
With all the chaos happening inside and outside your mind, it’s no surprise that meditation can have a lot of benefits. In fact, there are thousands of studies out there that prove the effectiveness of a few minutes of meditation. Here are just some of the positive effects of meditation:
It reduces stress
It strengthens focus
It improves mood management
It heightens compassion
It lessens aggression
All of this can help healthcare professionals tremendously, especially with a pandemic currently bringing society to its knees. Life in healthcare settings is stressful enough during ordinary times but now, it’s just on another level. With enough meditation, you can manage your stress levels, maintain focus, and maybe even take control of how you react to hard times.
How Do I Start to Meditate?
The great thing about meditation is that you don’t need anything but time and patience. Calming music, comfy chair, green tea – these may all help but it definitely isn’t necessary to reach mindfulness. To start meditating, do the following steps:
Sit in a quiet and comfortable space
Establish a relaxed breathing pattern
Focus on the movement of your chest as you breathe
Forgive yourself if your mind wanders and recover your focus
This is the most basic form of meditation that you can do anytime, anywhere. Remember this the next time you feel overwhelmed by your shifts.
