Category: Mindfulness

5/6/2021

Meditation as a Coping Strategy: How to Revitalize Your Body, Mind, and Spirit

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Guest Blog by Amy Collett

Meditation as a Coping Strategy: How to Revitalize Your Body, Mind, and Spirit

Experiencing loss, excess stress, undue financial strain, changing family dynamics, and countless other external forces can be extremely challenging, especially during a pandemic. While starting up a hobby or creating new at-home routines can help ease the negative thoughts and emotions and monotony, an alternative to combating these stressors is meditation. Incorporating meditation into your life can help encourage calm amid pandemic chaos. But the benefits can extend well into the future, too. Dive deeper into meditation (and how to DIY at home) here with My Grief Connection.

Why Meditation?
Emerging research suggests that meditation is beneficial for both your body and mind. Of course, people who have been meditating for years have already felt the difference that daily practice makes in their lives. Want to know more about why you should choose meditation?

Meditation Shows Promise for People with Grief and Depression
Research on mindfulness and meditation suggests that regular practice may play a part in coping with depression and grief. Results are inconclusive in studies so far, but many researchers are spurred to learn more based on their own positive experiences with meditating and prioritizing mindfulness.

Meditation May Help Ease Physical Pain
Studies suggest that mindfulness meditation-based action can improve “chronic pain symptomology.” Participants in one study reported a better quality of life after finishing an eight-week meditation program. The results lasted at least three years, suggesting that any amount of meditation can make an impact.

Meditation Might Relieve Worrisome Symptoms
Though meditation isn’t a cure-all for every ailment, it can help reduce your blood pressure, banish symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, and even alleviate insomnia, studies suggest. These physical benefits may reduce the need for some medications – though you should always consult with your physician before changing your regimen.

How to Start (at Home)
You can start meditating at home in a few simple steps. But first, you’ll need a safe, relaxing, and comfortable area to begin your mindfulness practice. To achieve a calmer space, clean and de-clutter it, and let in some fresh air. You don't need a lot of equipment to get started with meditation -- it is recommended that you have a mat or comfortable cushion to sit on. Whether you're listening to a guided meditation or calming music, a soundbar can enhance your mediation sessions by providing high-quality sound.

Meditation for Beginners
Starting out with meditation can feel intimidating, but it can be as simple and personal as you desire. Expert support is ideal, of course, but you can begin with deep breathing exercises to help melt stress away and spend some rejuvenating me-time in a quiet corner of the house.

Positive Psychology suggests beginner-friendly techniques such as breathing, focus, and mantra meditations. But the beauty of this mind-opening activity is that you can make it your own. Of course, if you’re looking for guidance to get to expert-level and really change your life and perceptions, consider seeking professional support.

Where to Turn for Support
Navigating meditation on your own can seem intimidating. Plus, common barriers to truly becoming mindful and entering a meditative state can stop you from making progress. The solution is to collaborate with an expert in meditation and mindful breathing techniques.

You can get one-on-one support, either in person or remotely, to change your approach to meditation. Over time, you’ll find that regular meditation cracks your horizons wide open and exposes you to growth you never thought you could achieve on your own.

Whether you go it solo or enlist the help of a coach or partner, dedicate some of your time to meditation. It can provide you with healing and better coping techniques, whether you're dealing with loss, financial hardships, or pandemic-related stress.

If you're experiencing loss of any kind, or would like to support an individual who's dealing with grief, visit My Grief Connection for helpful resources such as support groups and grief services.

Amy Collett is creator of Biz Well, a website that helps professionals and entrepreneurs build and strengthen their personal brand. When she isn’t helping clients boost their careers or businesses, she enjoys coaching her daughter’s soccer team and training to become a yoga instructor.

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