Minding Your Mind Through Meditation

Tue, 12 May 2020 10:46:05 -0400

What do the words relaxation, zen, stress relief, center, reflection, and healing all have in common?

All of these terms have been associated with meditation.

Meditation is a practice that focuses on the interactions between the mind, the body, and the behavior.

Meditation has a long history and is practiced in many different cultures around the world. Here are the basics to meditation:

A quiet space with as few distractions as possible

Comfortable posture

A focus for your attention

An open mind

Relaxed breathing

While the practice of meditation should contain these basics, the practice of meditation is unique to all of us.

From the space we choose to the comfortable posture we select, it’s up to us.

The biggest key to a successful meditation practice that we all must remember is to stay present in the moment.

While we meditate, our thoughts may drift or we may become momentarily distracted, that’s okay.

Just bring your thoughts back to your focus when you notice. It’s natural for the mind to drift. Meditation is an ongoing practice.

Some of the emotional benefits of practicing meditation include

building skills to manage stress

focusing on the present

reducing negative emotions

While meditation is not a replacement for seeking care from a healthcare provider or a therapist, it has been linked to improving the treatment of

depression

anxiety

sleep problems

Here are a few ways to practice meditation:

deep breathing

scan your body

repeat a positive mantra

read and reflect

focus on gratitude

engage in a spiritual reflection or prayer

Looking for more on meditation? Check out these apps and resources to help you craft your own meditation practice:

Resources available from UMBC:

WellTrack

Let’s Meditate - sessions offered by the Counseling Center weekdays at noon and 4:30 p.m.

Yoga - Offered by UMBC Recreation every day at 10 a.m. (except Tuesday and Saturday)

Free phone apps are also available.

Calm

Aura

Stop, Breathe & Think

Insight Timer