Meditation Series Pt. 1: --------------------------- 4 Reasons to Meditate ---------------------------

Guest Blogger: Reynelda Jones, LCSW, CADS, CMHIMP

The goal of this article is to share ways to find the areas in your life- where you can gain a sense of control, instead of allowing anxiety and other related disorders control you. I know that it is easier said than done! However, I encourage you to be open to applying some of the tips in this blog as to why adding mindfulness or movement meditation into your life is essential. Here are 4 top reasons why meditation should be a weekly component in your life. Stay tuned for parts 2-4.

1. Meditation improves mental and physical health: When a person experiences trauma it can physically change the brain’s wiring and structure. The area of the brain - the amygdala-which operates the “fight and flight” responses enlarges to compensate for the “on guard” mode it must default to in order to help an individual stay “prepared for danger” which may arise. However, research indicates that individuals who utilize meditation for at least 8 weeks not only reduce mental health conditions like anxiety and PTSD symptoms and physical health, but can also decrease the size of the amygdala leading to feeling more relaxed. Thus resulting in an increased ability to multitask and focused on the tasks at hand.
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2. Meditation and Hygge: Hygge consists of creating memorable moments that often deliver “warm fuzzies.” Most of us desire to have positive experiences and moments to recall throughout our lives.  This is even more so when a person has experienced unsafe and high stressed situations.  Creating moments where you feel safe and at a state of rest is the ultimate relief for someone who experiences symptoms of high anxiety or hypervigilance from PTSD. Read more about Hygee-Mindfulness Intensified here

3. Meditations help improve relationships: Relationships are difficult because it consists of two people with different backgrounds, views, and values. Together they are working to find a way to make the two worlds cooperate. Although difficult, having more stress and different love languages can greatly increase the likely hood of an unsuccessful relationship. As meditation helps to relieve a couple from stress, each person is able to listen and be more present with his/her partner, thus leading the opposite partner to feel heard and understood.

4. Meditation is easy on the adrenal glands: The adrenal glands help to support the "fight or flight" response. When the glands have overworked the likelihood of illness, pain within the body and mind increases. Read here about Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome. 

Summary: Meditation provides a number of benefits such as the ability to improve focus, physically change the brain, reduce the overuse of adrenal glands, and reduce stress. Thus, this can improve your relationships with the people whom you love, as well as, improve your body’s overall functioning. Because of the benefits of meditation- various forms of meditation are available and are highly recommended as a tool to improve mental wellness and physical wellness. Stay tuned for parts 2-4 within this meditation series! Check out the free Body Scan Meditation below.

Reynelda Jones is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist and Certified Mental Health and Integrative Medicine Provider. She is the founder of A Solution B, LLC private therapy practice in Michigan.