Benefits of Living a Relatively Stress-Free Life

Let’s face it we can all Google Stress and get a list of the symptoms associated with it.

So this entry is more about the benefits of living relatively stress-free.  For a life with as little stress as possible (for the record, some stress in one’s life is a good thing it can enhance brain activity and improve all round mental and physical performance and wellbeing) is a positive one indeed and one that we should all aspire to head towards and as we do, expect to see changes in much of what we do and how we do it.

Feeling More Energised

Our bodies are incredible machines with huge untapped energy resources much of which are tied up in our stressed-out body.  The less stressed we are, the lighter we become both physically and mentally naturally leading to increased energy levels affecting our thought processes, creativity and much more!

Sleep Better

In order to make the most of our lives, sleep is vital.  It recharges our brains and allows bodies to rest.  With less stressful thoughts occupying our minds the more likely we can not only sleep longer but deeper too, allowing us to reap the full healing benefits of a good night’s sleep.

Naturally start to become Healthier

Emotionally we become more balanced and with that comfort eating becomes less of an issue as we are not as likely to be drawn to food with high Fat and Sugary content.

Instead, cravings for more healthier options become more desirable as we seek to maintain the balance, we have created for ourselves.

Exercise becomes a more meditative experience as we become more mindful of every step and breath we take.

Enhanced Libido

With less stress, expect sexual desire to increase as the mind and body becomes freer from the challenges and rigours of everyday life, changing from one’s mood from tired and fed up to open and liberated and with increased energy levels (please see above) we are now able to express more easily and effortlessly than ever before.

Happier

Not just big cheesy smiles on our faces rather than periods of pure contentment and peace in all that we do.  Work begins to appear less challenging, yet more rewarding, relationships with friends and family become closer, we are now more sociable and life itself becomes a joy as emotionally we are now stronger and more balanced as the stress within us diminishes leaving us more in touch with ourselves than ever before.

For working towards a Relatively Stress-Free Life check out………

Naturally Boosting the Immune System

Resourses

https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2013/sleep

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/why-stress-causes-people-to-overeat

https://www.healthline.com/health/low-testosterone/conditions-that-cause-low-libido

For more information on upcoming events including courses on Transcendental Meditation please contact me directly at hello@andreberrymeditation.co.uk

 

 

/by

What are the different techniques out there and which is best for me?

Over the years I have been fortunate to of come across a few people in truly amazing spaces and it is fair to say many of them have cited, that  a regular Meditation programme has contributed.

Unsurprisingly, not all of them practise one specific technique but they are certainly dedicated to what they practice

Dedication is as important as the practise itself.  There really is no quick fix.  Afterall, you get out what you put in and anyone who suggests otherwise, we should automatically be wary of.

That said, the benefits of regularly meditating, are so overwhelmingly in favour of our wellbeing it’s certainly worth exploring what is out there.

With that in mind here is a small sample of some of the more popular ones for you to look into.

To make things easier Meditation has recently been split into 3 categories

1. Focus Attention Meditation (FAM) are concentrative meditation techniques.  This  is when we focus our attention on a single object.  Which can be internal or external.  Typically Meditations associated with these are Zen, Qi Gong, Mantra Japa and Vipassana.

2. Open Monitoring Meditation (OMM) is where we explore feelings, thoughts and sensations that are currently present in our body.  It is also possible to change and adapt some FAM to have a more OMM experience.  Typically Mindfulness, Body Scans and Loving Kindness are often associated with this.

3. Automatic Self-Transcending (AST) are techniques that typically transcend general activity of the mind.  Minimal effort if any is encouraged throughout the process.  Techniques associated with this are Transcendental Meditation, Vedic Meditation and Qi Gong

How do I go about choosing?
Research, if available go to Introductory Talks or speak to the Teacher who will be teaching you.  Once again be wary of anyone who is too pushy or has little respect for other techniques (Personally, I have always found this a little disappointing).  Ideally, one that offers continuous support after you have learnt for this is the key to your success.

Which is best?
If you are practising regularly.  They all offer tremendous benefits, they just have a different approach.  What really matters is which technique resonates with you and how comfortable you are in practising it.  Because that will contribute to whether you maintain your practise or not.

For more information on upcoming events including courses on Transcendental Meditation please contact me directly at hello@andreberrymeditation.co.uk

/by

Meditation – What Research Tells Us

When I started meditating 12 years ago I turned from being shattered, depressed and stressed.  To one that could not only find happiness. But experience levels of joy I never thought possible.

To this day, I go to bed every night so excited to be alive and wake up most mornings with the feeling as if I am hovering over the floor (for the record I’m not, but I do check, just to make sure).

It naturally motivates and inspires me to give my best every day and that best just seems to get better and better with each passing day. Meditation, it’s much more than a simple relaxation technique!

Now, new technology (functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) and electroencephalogram (EEG)) ensures research in this field continues to be both expansive and essential as Science makes sense of these wonderful techniques from these ancient traditions.

It is no secret that research now indicates that regular (you get out what you put in) Meditation practices could potentially lead to normalisation of Blood Pressure as well as reduction in Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia and other Stress and Trauma Related Issues (including PTSD).

Also that practising such techniques can complement (not replace) more conventional Care Programs and Medications

This is of course great news, but it’s the drive into Higher States of Consciousness or “Extraordinary Experiences” (Transcendent, Non Local, Non Dual) in which there have been well over 1,000 studies that we should be equally aware of and whilst accuracy is still away off, due to data collection issues, it can surely only be a matter of time.

For meditation can help us be the very best, we can be and hopefully it will only be a matter of time until it is proven and Science confirms what these great Traditions have been saying all along.

Resources

https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/meditation-in-depth
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24107199/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5363900/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5101089/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5721815/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24673148/
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-02/isfa-tpo022120.php
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6221271/

For more information on upcoming events including courses on Transcendental Meditation please contact me directly at hello@andreberrymeditation.co.uk

/by