For a long time, meditation sounded like incense sticks, singing bowls and a good dose of esotericism to many people. It has now largely lost its mysterious touch and is practiced across generations and areas. Rightly so! Because regular meditation is proven to keep you healthy, ensures balance and...makes you happy!
Meditation – what is it actually?
In very simple terms, meditation is a relaxation technique in which you try to achieve a state of inner peace through concentration and mindfulness exercises. The goal is to be free of all thoughts. The origins lie in spirituality; the term is derived from the Latin names for thinking (“meditatio”) and the middle (“medio”). The most well-known form of meditation is remaining in the lotus or cross-legged position and concentrating on a specific thing, such as the breath. In addition to this very static variant, there are also other, more active methods that involve moving, dancing or even singing.
What meditation can do
Although it was laughed at for a while, there are now a number of studies that prove the health-promoting effects of relaxation practice. In fact, regular training can cause measurable changes in the areas of the brain responsible for memory, self-awareness, empathy and stress reactions. We feel less stressed, our sense of pain is alleviated, the immune system is strengthened, blood pressure is lowered and our mental resilience is promoted. Sounds good, right?
Just try it out
Well, are you interested in trying it out? As already mentioned, there are many forms of meditation. And there are now numerous guided meditations on various social media channels that give you precise instructions and guide you step by step through the individual exercises. If you want to try it out yourself without instructions, it's best to find a quiet place where you can retreat undisturbed for a few minutes. This can be a separate room, outside in nature on a meadow or just at home on the couch. Sit relaxed but upright and look at a nearby point or close your eyes. Breathe in and out calmly and try to let your thoughts come and go without dwelling on any of them or getting bogged down in them, but rather focusing your attention on your breathing. If you want, you can set a time limit at the beginning and set a timer for two to three minutes and gradually increase it. To achieve a positive effect, you should train regularly, if possible daily.
We wish you a lot of fun trying it out and good relaxation!