A Guide to Meditation for Stress Management

Stress is a natural part of everyday life. In some cases, it's a good thing. Stress is your body's biological response to perceived threats, triggering your innate "flight or fight" instinct. However, long-term stress has negative effects on your health, increasing your risk for anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, and other problems.  

Veritas Community Counseling helps you find out more about how meditation can improve your wellbeing and how you can harness its power.

What you need to know about the health benefits of meditation?

Mayo Clinic explains that meditation is a fast and simple way to cut down on stress. There are different types of meditation, including guided meditation, mantra meditation, and mindfulness meditation. All of these different methods ultimately focus on centering the practitioner's concentration internally, ignoring external stressors, and calming down the mind. The technique requires focused attention and relaxed breathing.

Another unique type of meditation uses singing bowls to foster vibrational healing. Organic Spa Magazine explains how it works: Singing bowls resonate a pure sound, creating vibrations similar to those produced by the brain's alpha waves and bringing the brain into a so-called theta state. Theta waves are the same waves experienced during hypnosis and REM sleep and are indicative of a deep sensation of calm.

How to create a space for sound and vibration-based meditation at home?

If you are going to practice meditation, you need to set aside a quiet space free of distractions. Choose a secluded area in your home where spouses, neighbors, kids, and pets won't interrupt you. Start by cleansing the area using sage to eliminate negative energy. You don't want residual bad vibes cluttering up your space mentally when you're trying to meditate. You should also remove physical signs of clutter, which can cause anxiety.

When taking part in any kind of sound therapy, such as meditating with singing bowls, it's further imperative that you eliminate any auditory distractions. Practice in a room without external windows to avoid street noise. If this isn't possible, use window treatments like heavy curtains to block out noise. It’s also possible to double glaze your windows for keeping out traffic sounds.

Why you should get professional guidance?

Some types of meditation, like guided meditation, can be done independently. You can use apps like Headspace for assistance. Of course, prayer and connecting with Jesus can help you release stress, cultivate positivity, and reset to find calm. If you are interested in a more hands-on meditation experience, however, seek professional support.  

Follow the above guide to tap into the power of meditation to beat your COVID-19 anxiety. You can also benefit from meditation after the pandemic has faded away, using this ancient practice to bring more peace into your life on a daily basis.

Veritas Community Counseling provides a space where a client feels safe to explore themselves and their emotions. Reach out today for more info! (541) 275-0412

Guest blog written by Gwen Paine

Rise out of the ashes!

When you find yourself stuck in a situation that you have determined to be more than you can handle... understand that your past is only a learning experience and it does not get to tell you your value, ability, passions, or limitations.

The way you think about yourself is the ultimate limitation of your present and future. The possibilities are endless and you can be more, do more, try different things than you have in the past. When you past calls to tell you who you are... Let it go to voicemail. It doesn't see potential or growth. All it sees is risk and limitations. 

In your relationship, the patterns of communication do not have to continue. You can and will break them because you are strong and are not going to settle for what has been.

The mythical phoenix is reborn when it is consumed by fire and rises from the ashes as a new and changed bird. Similarly, there is a species of conifer tree that requires fires to open up the seed pod. Without the fire, that tree will not be able to reproduce. Our experiences can become the fire that consumes us giving birth to something different and beautiful.

If your perspective is that you are consumed by your experiences and that determines your value, ability, and options in life… you are right. However, if you see your experiences as opportunities to grow and become a better person… YOU ARE RIGHT!

Believe in yourself! I do!

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Please leave a comment and I’ll get back to you! If you want to process this in your own counseling journey, you can start here.