Meditation...just for hippies???

For anyone who has never tried meditation, it seems quite 'foreign'. It's only something that hippies and Buddhists do right?
No!! Not at all!
I have had past health problems which included stress, depression, anxiety and eating disorders. The one thing that I know that always benefits me and stops my mind running out of control with unnecessary thoughts, is meditation. This doesn't mean that I make an effort to sit with my legs crossed on the top of a mountain chanting 'OOOOMMMMM' to myself. Often it requires only 10 minutes of your day, where you just focus on your breathing, relaxing your 'tense muscles' and clear your head of the negative thoughts running through that head of yours.
                               
There are many different forms of meditation depending on the reason you want to do it in the first place. To most people, it is used as relaxation, a way to calm yourself and to re-focus your mind on what is most important to you.
Common types are progressive muscle relaxation, breathing control, guided imagery, chanting a mantra repeatedly, or even listening to calming sounds while lying down.
According to 'The better health channel', the direct benefits of meditation can include:

• Improved physical, emotional and mental health
• Focused and clear thinking
• Improved memory
• Enhancing a sense of self and personal presence
• Increased emotional balance
• Greater relaxation and ease
• More equanimity in the face of challenges
• Satisfaction in life
• An improved sense of spiritual fulfilment and awakening.

It has also been shown to help improve:

• Anxiety
• Chronic pain
• Depression
• Headaches
• High blood pressure
• Insomnia
• Migraines
• Stress
• Life-threatening physical illnesses
• Recovery from accident or illness
• A sense of lack of belonging or purpose.

Many Primary and Secondary schools are starting to use meditation as part of their daily routine, as well as in Prison centres. Both places have found it useful in reducing violence, bullying, mental health problems and increases the rationality and focus of it's participants.

I find it easiest to purchase a CD or DVD (there are lots available online - but it's worth checking the reviews a some can be a little 'bland', especially for a beginner!), find a quiet space somewhere, lay down and let the CD guide you.
In times of increased tension or stress, you may find it useful to do this twice a day. However, I find once a day, either in the morning, or when I get home from work in the afternoon seems to be enough :-)

Have a go. I'm sure you will love it!!! Xxx