About this topic
Meditation is a way to spend time in quiet thought. Meditation may help you: ‚
- Relax and feel more calm
- Lower stress and ease worry
- Clear your mind during a stressful time
- Focus on the present and positive thoughts
Your doctor may suggest you try meditation to help with stress or cope with illness. You may have less signs or be able to better manage your signs when you meditate. Your doctor may suggest meditation if you have: ‚
- Low mood, anxiety, or other mental health problems
- Pain
- Cancer
- Sleep problems
- Breathing problems
- High blood pressure or heart problems
General
There are many kinds of meditation. Each one of them can help you feel more calm and relaxed. Find the one you like best. Here are a few choices. ‚
- Guided ¢ ˆ ’ Think about a place or time where you were relaxed and calm. Fill in all of the details to create a picture in your mind. What did it sound and smell like? What did you see or feel?
- Mindfulness ¢ ˆ ’ Focus on your breathing. Think about each breath as you breathe in and out. Try not to pay attention to your thoughts, just your breaths.
- Mantra ¢ ˆ ’ Say a word or phrase over and over when you breathe out to calm yourself. You can say it out loud or just in your mind. Breathe slowly and deeply as you say the word.
- Walking ¢ ˆ ’ This meditation focuses on awareness of movements when walking. Think about how your foot feels each time it touches the ground. How do your muscles feel as your foot rolls forward to take another step?
What will the results be?
There is no right or wrong way to meditate. The most important thing is that you are more relaxed and calm when you are done. ‚
Helpful tips
- Focus your mind. This takes practice, so do not worry if your mind wanders at first. Just return your thoughts to your breathing, reciting your word or phrase, or the place and time you felt relaxed and focused.
- Some kinds of meditation use movement and breathing to help you feel calmer. You may want to try Qi gong, Tai chi, or yoga.
- Meditation can be done anywhere. It does not have to cost anything. You may want to find a special place to meditate. Some people like to sit on a pillow or cushion. Wearing soft and loose clothing that you can move in can make it easier to practice. Others meditate as they walk or run.
- Read a book or take a class on how to do different types of meditation. Try different ones and see what works best for you.
Where can I learn more?
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/teen/school_jobs/school/meditation.html ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/_cancer_center/feelings/relaxation.html ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/Pages/mindfulness.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚