Mind Altering Medicine

Medicine is often thought of as a treatment for a problem, rather than a preventative measure. In the West, when you mention medicine, right away, over-the-counter or prescription drugs come to mind.   But medicine is much more than that. It is, in many cultures, a kind of proactive state of mind. Exercise, daily meditation, massage, Reiki, good nutrition and even acupuncture are all used to prevent illness rather than just treat the symptoms. It's kind of like keeping up with oil and antifreeze in your car. Lack of either one can cause costly repairs. It's the same with your body. Abuse it, and you're going to run into problems sooner or later.

One of the best ways to prevent heart disease, improve your mood and reduce your stress is through daily meditation. Just 10 minutes in silent reflection can vastly improve your health. Studies have shown that people who meditate daily have lower instances of a number of illnesses including diabetes and high blood pressure. They also have fewer sick days, are more productive and have a more positive outlook than those who don't meditate. Additionally, studies have shown that when people meditate in groups, the crime rate in the area decreases.

So how does meditation do all that? When we meditate, our blood pressure drops. Production of those killer cells that destroy viruses and even some cancer cells, is increased, the heart becomes stronger and the harmful chemicals that the body produces when it's stressed go away. In essence, we are allowing our bodies to regenerate and heal the damage that we do every day. 

So how do you meditate? It's actually a lot easier than you think! A good way to get started is to sit quietly in a comfortable position. Take several very deep breaths, in through your nose and out through your mouth. Allow your body to relax, one muscle group at a time beginning in your feet. Work your way up your body until you reach your head. Take several more deep breaths and enjoy the relaxed state for a few minutes. Then slowly bring yourself back to a more awake state. That's all there is to it. Of course, there are many types of meditation and once you get started, chances are, you'll want to try others. But even if you don't taking those few precious minutes each day to do something good for yourself is never a waste of time. Enjoy it!

 Until next time, 

Be Well!