| People ask me why I meditate, and the answer is | | | | greater stress. |
| always the same. I was over-committed, | | | | - You increase your creativity. Clearing, calming |
| overworked, overstressed and it was making me | | | | and stilling a busy mind, leaves room for new and |
| sick, cranky and often feeling hopeless. My mind | | | | innovative ideas. |
| was fast, full and furious. I had no idea how to | | | | - You increase your energy and strengthen your |
| get out off this cycle until I started to take some | | | | immune system because it helps you recognise |
| time to simply close my eyes and be guided into | | | | and release emotions such as anger, fear or guilt, |
| deep relaxation and rest. | | | | which deplete your energy and immobilises your |
| I stopped for a short period of time most days | | | | immune system. |
| and allowed all the stuff that was hurtling around | | | | - You gain a greater sense of knowingness which |
| in my mind; my work, my future, my past, my | | | | helps you make better choices. You become |
| finances, people, the cat, the dog etc., to slow | | | | more decisive and confident which enables you to |
| down, then, I put it all aside, and gave myself a | | | | be in better control of your life. |
| mental rest. Doing this regularly proved hugely | | | | - Being a regular meditator helps you unravel and |
| beneficial not only to my day to day life, but also | | | | release unhealthy behaviours and beliefs. |
| my health. | | | | - It makes you healthier. You are more in tune |
| With the accelerated pace of life in the 21st | | | | with your body so you can reduce and handle |
| century, the calm awareness we experience | | | | pain and symptoms of stress and anxiety far |
| during meditation is more valuable than ever. | | | | better. |
| Every day we are bombarded with new | | | | - You trigger your relaxation response when filling |
| technology, information and stimulation. We are | | | | your mind with serene, peaceful images, you |
| reachable 24/7 which means it's harder than ever | | | | stimulate your happy hormone, serotonin. This |
| to switch off. When our mind becomes | | | | chemical calms and restores your nervous |
| overloaded and in chaos we lose our confidence, | | | | system by counteracting the constant barrage of |
| and motivation, we make poor decisions, we get | | | | adrenalin in the body. |
| cranky and we become susceptible to colds, | | | | - Meditating regularly leads to an increased sense |
| allergies and infections. In other words, we | | | | of empathy and compassion, towards others and |
| sabotage our own happiness and success, both | | | | towards yourself. |
| personally and professionally! Meditation is one | | | | - It recharges your enthusiasm and motivation for |
| way to take control of your life, and, to stay in | | | | life. |
| control of your life. | | | | To learn more about meditation, I suggest you |
| Reasons why regular meditation is good for you... | | | | explore classes or groups in your town or city. |
| - You strengthen your mind by giving it something | | | | Build yourself a Meditation CD library, so you can |
| it never gets- Rest! (even when we sleep we | | | | easily slip on a CD and be guided by someone |
| have countless dreams.) | | | | you can trust to take you to a beautiful peaceful |
| - You relieve built up stress and tension. You | | | | place where you can experience deep relaxation, |
| become calmer and more relaxed; therefore, you | | | | stillness and bliss. You can also download a |
| are less likely to react negatively in challenging | | | | meditation CD onto your iPod and use it |
| situations with vent up emotions which can cause | | | | wherever and whenever you choose. |