Do you begin and end your day staring deeply into the eyes of your closest companion – your phone?

Do you spend hours on social media, using computer screens, answering emails, playing video games, or watching tv/movies?

Do you have daily stress ranging from kids to money to work to traffic?

If you answered yes, to any of those three questions (and really the majority of us did), then you may be a good candidate to consider meditation. Now, you may be thinking of a variety of reasons (excuses) as to why you can’t meditate. Most will center around these ideas: I don’t have time, I don’t think it’s me (aka meditation, I’m just not that into you), or I don’t know how to get started.  So, ok…then, here we go:

I don’t have time.  Yes, you do.  It’s about priorities.  Plus research indicates that you can get the benefits in 10 minutes of meditation/day.

It’s just not me (aka it sounds a little hippie).  No, it is for you. Because, you want to be healthy and happy. Meditation costs no money and as just mentioned, doesn’t take very long.  Going further there are a significant number of benefits, that have been researched. This group of 19 benefits is from Psychology Today:

• Increases immune function
• Decreases Pain
• Decreases Inflammation at the Cellular Level
• Increases Positive Emotion
• Decreases Depression
• Decreases Anxiety
• Decreases Stress
• Increases social connection & emotional intelligence
• Makes you more compassionate
• Makes you feel less lonely
• Improves your ability to regulate your emotions (Ever flown off the handle or not been able to quiet your mind? Here’s the key)
• Improves your ability to introspect
• Increases grey matter
• Increases volume in areas related to emotion regulation, positive emotions & self-control
• Increases cortical thickness in areas related to paying attention
• Increases your focus & attention
• Improves your ability to multitask
• Improves your memory
• Improves your ability to be creative & think outside the box

Do any of these benefits sound good? Maybe you want to consider, making meditation your thing. Lastly:

I don’t know how to get started.  Ok, here’s a few tips: find a quiet place, sit comfortably, close your eyes, clear your mind and breath.  That’s it.  It’s definitely an easier said than done thing. At first, time will feel slow and your head will still feel busy.  Be patient with yourself.  You don’t have to start with 10 minutes, start with 1 or 2 and work up.  f your head feels busy, simply acknowledge each thought, let it go, and go back to focusing on your breath.  That’s it.  Don’t quit and keep trying (remember the benefits list?).

Ultimately, this is just another way to take control of your health. It’s a tool.  But, when mastered, it’s a tool that has a huge impact and can be done for your whole life. Give it a try!

In health, Dr. Graham