To MediCATE or to MediTATE….That is the question

Ok so you’re on medication for pain, sleep problems, a mood disturbance or some other health condition.  Should you stop and just go to your happy place instead?  No, but you MAY want to explore the health benefits of meditation, a mindbody, self management technique that has changed many people’s lives in unfathomable ways.

Here is a short list of the latest research on the impact of meditation:

  • Increases immune function
  • Decreases pain
  • Decreases inflammation at the cellular level
  • Increases positive emotions, decreases depression and anxiety
  • Decreases stress and the production of cortisol
  • Increases social connection & emotional intelligence
  • Increases grey matter in the brain
  • Increases blood volume in areas of the brain related to emotion regulation, positive emotions & self-control
  • Increases your focus, memory, creativity & attention

Most people think meditation is time and labor intensive but it doesn’t have to be.  If you are interested in trying a variety of brief meditations, I have a CD called Hurry Up…And Relax!, for purchase. You can contact me at mindbodyworks@highspeedcrow.ca  What are you waiting for?

Do you ever feel like a victim, like everyone dumps on you or treats you badly? Do you always seem to get the short end of the stick?  Sometimes those things are the result of bad luck or surrounding yourself with the wrong people, but sometimes, we do it to ourselves……

Here’s a phrase that I try to live by that sounds harsh but may change your life: What you permit, you PROMOTE!

When you think about this, it makes sense.  If you let someone yell at you, abuse you, take advantage of you, it’s hard to stop them from doing it in the future.  If you ask your children to clean their rooms but do it for them when they don’t get on it, you have taught them to wait it out, and let YOU do it.  See what I mean?

Now think of the relationships in your life that create stress or suffering because they affect your self esteem, confidence or quality of life.  What have you promoted simply because you allowed it?  It might be time to change the dynamic in those relationships or find new ones. All the stress that results from this is dangerous and can lead to illnesses like:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Cancer
  • Diabetes
  • Heart Disease
  • Substance abuse
  • Eating disorders
  • Etc

If you want your life to change, YOU have to change your life.  Learn to say “NO” or “please don’t speak to me that way”.  Love yourself enough to permit what you WANT to promote!

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