Ready to Destress From the Holiday Season? Learn To Meditate

Happy Thanksgiving Week for those of you in the US!

I've been talking about ways to keep yourself healthy during the holidays.  If you missed any of the previous posts, please check the links below to read those.

It's sad that we've gotten to the point of dreading the holiday season versus actually enjoying this time with our families.   Now let's be honest, all the time, sometimes, it's our family members who might be causing most of the stress.

But for today, I want to talk about one of the most important things you can do to decompress from the chaos of the holidays, and honestly, you should make this practice for every day beyond the holidays.

When you decide to make a practice of this every day, you'll see things change. You'll become more content, happier, and significantly more energetic.  

Meditation is one of the most powerful de-stressing tools that you have in your arsenal of health. When you dedicate as little as 20 minutes every day to meditation, studies have shown that your stress markers will decrease.

Not only will your stress markers decrease, but you can also see a reduction in blood pressure, an increase in serotonin (which increases your mood and sense of well-being), and a reduction in cortisol production.  (And a decrease in wanting to hurt your nosy mother-in-law.... This last one might not be scientifically proven quite yet.)

Medication can also increase proper immune system function, can decrease anxiety, and increases mental clarity and focus, and can also increase your energy.  

And like I said, that's all for just 20-minutes a day!

There are even more profound reductions in stress when you do 20 minutes twice a day, but let's start with baby steps!

I left this topic for last because it is the one thing that you can do immediately when you start your day and see results.  Even if you can't do the full 20 minutes, just five minutes can help reset your mind and help you become more at ease.  

As easy as this looks, it can be difficult at times.  I know for myself, it can be hard not to let the distractions around me set in while meditating.  I also find that my mind can go a thousand miles an hour and quiet that can be quite a task.  

However, if you can just start resetting your brain every time it wanders to go that center spot, a semi-well done meditation is better than none.  This takes training and discipline, and soon you'll find that it becomes easier and easier.

One of my great mentors is Brendon Burchard, and I've used his technique to begin a practice of my own.  If you're looking for a great place to start, watch the video below just to begin.  

Other resources that I love are:

Oprah and Deepak Chopra's Mediation Challenges

Headspace

Insight Timer

And just because you're starting this during the holidays, make sure you make a practice every day from here on out.  Your health (and your family) will thank you.

Links to my surviving the Holiday's posts:

Dehydration   

Blood Sugar  

Sleep  

Cooking at Home