Meditation/Mindfulness

Have you ever had that feeling where your head seems to fill up with pressure to the point where you think it might explode? Maybe it’s a tension headache or, if the pain is more severe, it could be a cluster headache. They’re so common and yet there seems to be no one sure-fire way to find relief without running to the pill cabinet. You know what’s coming right? There IS a sure-fire way to reduce or completely eliminate your headaches: meditation. It actually reduces the production of harmful chemical toxins in the body. But don’t rush to any judgments about headaches or meditation until you get all the facts.

The Facts.

It is a fact that tension headaches can be brought on by stress. Tension headaches are extremely common and the pain associated with them is usually mild. But nobody wants to have even the mild experience of a throbbing, pulsating headache.

It is a fact that cluster headaches are more rare and unfortunately, more severe in nature, than other types of headaches. They can also be difficult to diagnose, as the doctor – if sought out – will usually just rely on the patient’s description of the pain and physical symptoms. Cluster headaches can also be brought on by stress.

A Better Solution.

Anytime a headache abruptly inserts itself into your life, it’s not a fun thing, but constantly turning to medication can become expensive and dangerous. A recent study on the national news showed that the most common drug to treat headaches could actually cause severe problems such as stomach bleeding. That’s not a good thing when they also mentioned that just over half the entire population uses this type of medication 1 or more times throughout the year. Think about the laundry-list of side effects the stronger drugs have.

A safe alternative is meditation. Without all the religious connotations associated with it, at its core, meditation is a simple activity of non-activity. It’s more fun to say than do at first, because people are so used to staying active. It’s part of our culture: Be active, get out there. People say, “use it or lose it” referring to staying as active as possible so your body stays strong and healthy. The problem is that, by and large, we are too active. Technology allows us to watch TV, talk on the phone, write to a friend across the globe and download new songs all at the same time! No wonder we stress out easier and experience more headaches!

Here’s another fact: People have already been using meditation as a method of reducing stress for years. Why are you lagging behind? Did you know that meditation reduces levels of cortisol, a hormone that when unleashed on your body can cause major damage? It has also been shown to enhance the immune system and strengthen the body’s ability to fight diseases. Not just diseases, but dis-eases, like those cluster headaches or tension headaches.

The How-To.

Here are a few simple guidelines to help you get going. Remember, that anything can become complicated the more in-depth you research it, so this is just a simple starter that will certainly yield results if you follow it for just 30 days. First, choose an area and set up an alarm for 15 minutes. That’s plenty to start. Most people go for 20 to 30 minutes. Then, choose a time during the day when you can sit or lay, uninterrupted, with your eyes closed, but stay awake. Sometimes people lay down, shut their eyes, take 3 deep breaths and they’re out! Don’t get that comfortable.

Once you find a position suitable for you, close your eyes and pick something simple to focus on. Many people use their breathing. Just breathe in deeply, feel your lungs fill and then exhale slowly as your blood becomes enriched with oxygen. Just pay attention to your breathing as you do it. Then, when your mind starts to wander, like, “I wonder how long it’s been” or “This is it?” Just release those thoughts and turn your attention back to your breathing. Maybe you’ll start thinking: “I’m watching my breathing; I’m watching my breathing.” Let those thoughts go too. Just try to quiet that incessant inner monologue and be aware of your breathing.

The Final Picture.

Piece of cake. 15 minutes a day and you’ll be more relaxed, more focused and your body will be stronger for its job. You’ll make short work of those tension headaches or cluster headaches. Your blood pressure will come down. The beneficial effects you’ll notice after 30 days will put a smile on your face. So many people are noticing these rewarding benefits of meditation that it’s now being practiced in hospitals as a way to reduce the stress and dangerous hormone levels before and after major procedures. Huge amounts of money are being put into research. One neurophysiologist at the University of Colorado, Dr. James Austin reported that meditation is a way to rewire the circuits in the brain. That’s a good thing when the current wiring is bringing you excruciating pain. So spend 15-20 minutes a day and do yourself a favor – get rid of that aching!

Meditation resources:

Wouldn't it be great if you were master of your thoughts, instead of a slave to them?

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Or

EFFECTIVE MEDITATIONS FOR...INNER PEACE AND HAPPINESS

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