A GUIDE TO MEDITATION

Meditation is a conscious form of relaxation that clears the mind and creates a peaceful mental state. The word originates from the Latin "meditatum," meaning "to ponder" but its Buddhist meaning is "Bhavana" or "mental development." Buddhist meditation practices come from the Buddha, known as the "Enlightened One," who believed you connect to your inner higher consciousness through meditation, and become a better human being. Here's a look at the benefits meditation offers, and how you can get started.

Health Benefits Of Meditation

Meditation creates a relaxed and peaceful state that is a natural form of stress relief. Anxiety causes shallow, labored breathing that reduces blood oxygen levels, increases one’s heart rate, and can induce panic attacks. With meditation's slow, deep breathing techniques, air flows deeply into the diaphragm. Sufficient inhalation of oxygen and exhalation of carbon dioxide improves blood flow and oxygen delivery, and creates a feeling of well-being. You become calmer, which helps prevent stress-related problems such as anxiety and depression.

Meditation is also good for your heart, as it distances you from stress-inducing situations and creates a calm, relaxed state that reduces your pulse and respiration rates. People who meditate regularly have lower heart rates, reducing high blood pressure.

Relaxation can boost your immune system to help fight infection and disease. Deep, measured breathing stimulates lymph flow in your body and eliminates toxins from the cells.

Mental Benefits Of Meditation

Meditation relieves stress and gives you a calmer perspective. Calmness promotes clarity, which helps you avoid hasty decisions or clouding your judgments with strong emotions, such as hate and anger. Many people find sleep patterns improve when stress levels decrease while others find relaxation helps them quit stress-related habits like smoking and drinking.

Negative feelings affect your physical and emotional health if they are not resolved. Meditation combines physical and mental control to develop kindness, peacefulness, and happiness from within. As you filter negative emotions, you become calmer and more positive and improve your relationships with others.

How To Meditate

Find a quiet place where you won't be disturbed and sit in a comfortable position. Sitting is preferable to lying down, which tells your body it is time to sleep. Relax your hands and place them on your thighs, palms up, or in any comfortable position. Close your eyes or focus on a point or object. Gradually become aware of your breath as it enters and leaves your body. Clear distracting thoughts and focus on each breath until your mind is still and you feel relaxation and tranquility take over. At first, your mind might become more active. Use visualization to still your thoughts. Imagine being in an idyllic and relaxing place. Visualize the scene as you transport your body there with the power of your mind. Some people visualize a higher power and try to connect to this "being." This exercise awakens your spiritual side. You will develop a higher consciousness by focusing on your inner self instead of external noise and worldly activities. Eventually, you may train yourself to meditate and relax while walking, lying down, or doing everyday tasks. With practice, you can make your mind and body relax at will. The religious connotations might put you off, but you don't have to follow any particular religion to meditate. You can do it solely for the health benefits, relaxation, and stress control. It's particularly useful if you prefer natural methods for stress relief over prescription medications.

Meditation techniques depend on your temperament and lifestyle. If you would like a deeper understanding, you can join a class and receive guidance from a teacher. Books also help you reap more mental and physical health benefits. No matter the method, meditation provides a natural way of coping with stress and finding your inner self.

Kruti is now seeing patients of all ages, and is deeply committed to making a difference in their lives.

Bachelor’s Degree in Biology: Birmingham-Southern College

Master’s Degree in Public Health: The University of Alabama at Birmingham

Master’s Degree in Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies: Barry University, Miami

Certification: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)

Licensure: Florida Board of Medicine