Minute Meditation for Mental Health

Welcome to today's blog.  One thing I try to tell people is that even if you meditate everyday just for a minute or two, after eight weeks, there can be a shift in the way you feel. A study from Harvard researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital can back up my statement as they have found that meditating for only 8 weeks actually significantly changed the brain’s grey matter. So what that means is that meditation has wonderful evidence of improving memory, empathy, sense of self, and stress relief.

Science seems to constantly be validating the claims about meditation being good for mental health especially for depression, anxiety, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). please do not take my word, there are over 600 research studies meditation.

Meditation does not mean you need to sit with your knees crossed and say OM. You can sit in a chair, lay on your bed and I have even meditated standing in a long line. The practice involves sitting comfortably, (sometimes standing) focusing on your breathing, and bringing your mind’s attention to the now without drifting into what is going on or the past or future.

Sometimes to stay focused I say mantra's such as "right here right now" or " I am love and light". If things wonder in my mind, I do not freak out, I just gently try to push it out using my mantra and focusing on counting my breath. Counting helps me stay focused. So if you want to try this exercise for a minute a day, it would be a great start to start your path into feeling mentally healthy naturally.

Find a place to sit or lay comfortably. Sit straight so your lungs can get deep breaths in.  Either close your eyes or look down.

Breathe in for 6 seconds

Hold your breath for 6 seconds

Release for 6 seconds

Hold for 6 seconds

Breathe in for 6 seconds

Hold your breath for 6 seconds

Release for 6 seconds

Hold for 6 seconds

Practice this for one minute several times a day.