Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Finding Calm in the Chaos

It is the season of service as you work to display love for the people in your life. With the hectic pace of the holiday season, you may have forgotten to make time for your own self-care. The holiday season can also bring memories of a painful past or emphasize the loneliness you may be feeling. Don't let another day pass without nurturing yourself.

It may be the perfect time to try meditation and find the inner peace that you long for. Studies have found long term health benefits from individuals that practice meditation regularly.
  • A Heathly Heart: Meditation has been found to lower your blood pressure, blood sugar and insulin.
  • Increased Alertness: Individuals who meditate for 40 minutes daily surpassed others in mental alertness testing who had taken a nap for 40 minutes.
  • Better Sleep: The brain waves of people who meditate are similar to those sleeping.
  • More Brainpower: Meditators have a increased thickness in their brain in the areas of attention and processing sensory input.
  • Less Bingeing: Obese women who practiced mindfulness meditation had an average of four fewer binge eating episodes per week than before practicing meditation.
  • Happiness: The prefrontal cortexes in the brain that are responsible for happiness and pleasure lit up even when individuals were not meditating.

So think about finding a quiet moment to still your mind and let peace enter your soul for the holiday.

Best wishes

Gina


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