Meditation and Menses

Meditation is a popular term used now but dates back to ancient times.  It is the practice of quieting one’s mind.  Or at a minimum, observing the ceaseless chatter our minds produce, without being attached to the many emotions that may accompany those thousands of thoughts. So, how do we meditate and what are the benefits? Here we list just a few simple steps to try at home or somewhere with the least amount of distractions as possible, as well as, the benefits you may observe once you’ve meditated.

Set a time.  Start with small increments. Perhaps a timer for ten to fifteen minutes. The first few minutes you may  have thoughts about how silly it may seem, impossible it may be to quiet the mind and racing thoughts, or how many other things you have to do.  Try to imagine those thoughts as passing by.  In either a bubble or similar. Let them exist. You won’t forget them (trust us, thoughts will nag us until they get attention) But for these few moments, we are allowing them to happen and observing them, without attaching any actions to them. Just observation.  Several minutes in, you may find this easier to accomplish which is why we suggest 10-15 minute-intervals when first starting out.

Get Comfy. Not to the point of sleep, but certainly to the point where your body is not in pain or working tirelessly to hold a position.  A comfortable chair with back support, feet planted firmly on the ground and arms able to lay by your side works well. Neck and head support is imperative also.  There are tons of different ways you can find comfort like this. Perhaps a hammock, blanket on the grass or recliner. If you fall asleep, you can always try to meditate again later. Sleep is important for the body also so if your body wants to rest and your schedule allows for it, then by all means. Do not deny the body.  However, keep in mind that meditation if focused energy – not passive. So, once you fall asleep, you are no longer meditating. Try again when you awake.

Focus on your breath. If you just can’t drown out the noise, it has been said that focusing on the sound of the breath – inhaling then exhaling – can take your sole focus and distract you from the other fleeting thoughts. 

Meditate on Something Specific. If your focus is to hone in on something in particular, you may start with breath and then transition into meditating on what it is you most want to envision.  The body will still respond to the thoughts – especially the more vivid they are – even if it isn’t happening in real-time. So, if your focus in on preparing for a speech and meditating on exactly how you want it to play out, you’ll begin to feel the effects of such imagined thought throughout your body and brain! If you goal is to simply cease mind chatter, again focus on the breath and allow thoughts to pass by.

What are the benefits to Meditation? 

The benefits to meditation are many. Beyond what it could do for you emotionally and spiritually, if that is part of your faith, is physical advantages, including, but to limited to:

– Decreases in physical tension throughout the body

– Lowers blood pressure

– Strengthens the immune system

– Slows the aging process

– Recharges natural energy

With benefits like this, it is certainly worth attempting and adding to your daily regimen or even medical treatments you are currently using.  Meditation comes in a variety of forms and classes, even.  Search around for what would resonate most with you and give it a try.