Why meditate?
Why wake up earlier to make time to meditate in the morning?
What difference will it really make?
A regular meditation practice:
*Allows you to set an intention to create a positive day
*Honors your true Self, and allows for a deeper connection with your true Self
*Shifts your body from the flight-or-fight part of your nervous system (sympathetic nervous system) to the restorative, healing part of your nervous system (parasympathetic nervous system)
From a medical perspective, I encourage meditation for the restorative, healing benefits. In modern, western society we are so revved up that we live too much of our lives using the flight-or-fight part of our nervous system. This overutilization of the sympathetic nervous system leads to disease.
Many studies suggest that those who meditate:
*During meditation reach a hypometabolic (low metabolic) state that is more restorative than sleep
*Have ↓ levels of lactate (a marker of stress/anxiety)
*Have ↑melatonin and serotonin (calming hormones)
*Have ↓cortisol levels (stress hormone) indicating less stress on the endocrine system
*Have lower Blood Pressures
Long-term meditators have:
*80% less Coronary Artery Disease and 50% less Cancer
*↑DHEA levels (a youth related hormone)- DHEA counteracts cortisol (stress hormone)
*Experience ↓stress, ↑sexual function and improved weight control
*75% of insomniacs become able to have normal sleep with meditation
*34% of people experiencing chronic pain had a significant decrease in need for medication
*Improved healing
Overall, a regular meditation practice supports total wellness (spirit-mind-body). Start with just 5-15 minutes every morning. A goal may be to increase your practice to 20-60 minutes every morning.
Morning is an optimal time to mediate because you are closest to the consciousness you experience during sleep.
Be Well,
Nayo Wills, MD
Khalsa, S et al. Meditation as Medicine. 2001: 8-40.
