MEDITATION

Medically, there is growing evidence that meditation induces many biochemical, biomechanical and physical changes, known as the “relaxation response”: changes in metabolism, brain chemistry, heart rate and blood pressure – the benefits being obvious. Stress can have a negative effect on the immune system, so again, meditation could help significantly. Think of child-birth and labour: concentrating on the breath, which is a form of meditation, helps ease the pain of delivery.

Surviving a busy world

Meditation will leave you feeling relaxed and peaceful. You will learn the patterns of the mind and the way in which it works, enabling you to have more control over it. It takes practise to become a habit, but eventually you will reap the rewards.

There are many different types of meditation: mind/body exercise, such as yoga and Pilates are forms of meditation in themselves in that you focus the mind on certain movements, preventing your mind from wandering to negative thoughts. You finish your practice feeling relaxed and peaceful and the more you practise, even if only for 10 minutes a day, the more at peace you will be with the world. The effects may not stay with you for long after practise to begin with, but this will change as time goes by.