Meditation is a concept that has been around for many years. Cambridge Dictionary defines meditation as the act of giving your attention to only one thing, either as a religious activity or a way of becoming calm and relaxed. It is safe to say, meditation requires one to free brain space in order to focus on something that promotes holistic growth. I have come to adopt the philosophy “positive thoughts lead to positive speaking, and positive speaking leads to positive actions. On the contrary, “negative thoughts lead to negative speaking, and negative speaking leads to negative actions.”
There is an old saying, “you are what you eat.” The same can be said about our thought life. Proper meditation can be correlated with proper diet for the body. If we live on a healthy cognitive diet of positive thoughts coupled with meditation the benefits can be numerous. Here are five benefits of meditation coupled with positive thoughts:
- Meditation gives the brain an opportunity to rest, reset, and refocus.
- Meditation requires intentional time and effort. In our fast-paced busy world it provides an opportunity to unplug from triggers and stressors, which may also include distractors from social media.
- Meditation allows the mind, body, and spirit to commune for the purpose of producing peace and healing.
- Meditation is not a new age philosophy. It is an evidenced-based practice that has been incorporated in many disciplines both traditional and contemporary.
- Meditation is cost-efficient. You don’t have to spend money to meditate. It is available to people of all socioeconomic levels.
Stress and anxiety can be mitigated through Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction or (MBSR) as it is commonly referred to. MBSR is a program that was developed by Jon Kabet-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts’ Medical School’s Center for Mindfulness in 1979. A Stanford University team found that MBSR brought changes in brain regions involved in attention, as well as relief from symptoms of social anxiety (www.forbes.com 2015, 7 Ways Meditation Can Actually Change The Brain).
As we seek to add tools that enhance our quality of life, meditation is a staple that every toolbox should have. I had the opportunity to experience MBSR during a very stressful period in my life. My family was in the midst of multiple crises, which lasted over a period of a few months. The skills I learned were invaluable and relevant. MBSR had proven to be an effective resource that didn’t cost me anything but time and effort. Needless to say, the 8-week course offered by Methodist Healthcare and taught by Michael Burnham, was a game-changer. I learned several techniques including mindful eating, mindful walking, and mindful breathing, just to name a few. Going through the course helped to reduce my stress and contributed to my overall well-being. In addition to stress reduction, MBSR can benefit individuals dealing with medical conditions and psychological distress.
For further information about the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program (MBSR) at Methodist Healthcare contact Michael Burnham at (901) 763-0416 or visit mindfulatmethodist.org. For further information about how you or any of your household can connect with Methodist Healthcare Employee Assistance Program (EAP) contact (901) 683-5658.
Fredrick Gillam Jr. is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a designation of Mental Health Services Provider. He has experience with specialized populations including victims of domestic violence, trauma, and substance abuse. Fredrick’s passion to bring about change for individuals and families has been displayed through his use of evidenced based practices. He utilizes modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy ( DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Trauma Therapy. Fredrick is a graduate of Harding School of Theology, where he earned a Master of Arts in Counseling with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy.