In general, the practice of meditation allows a return to calm, a refocusing, a better anchoring and a resourcing. Even if we ignore the existence of chakras, energy channels and vital energy, these exercises promote emotional balance and better management of daily stress.
The simple act of relaxing, taking a step back, evacuating or learning to better manage stress is already a huge benefit, because in our world, many of us are in a frantic race against time and are under the weight of professional (performance, profitability...) and social obligations.
In our industrial and consumer societies, stress is an extremely devastating and deleterious element from a health perspective. It permanently destabilizes our endocrine system responsible for homeostasis, an endocrine system directly linked to our energy system.
Even if the meditation sessions are short (3 to 5 minutes for example), they are always beneficial, especially when practiced regularly over the long term.
Since the 1970s, many books have been published on the benefits of relaxation methods, meditation, visualization, etc.
Since then, a multitude of works and studies have confirmed the harmful links between stress and health, but above all, the beneficial effects of regular meditation or relaxation sessions have been highlighted.
The beneficial effects of relaxation
The following were observed and reported by practitioners:
- General wellness
- Mood improvement
- Better management of anxiety and panic attacks
- Better management of anger or mood swings
- Better management or even reduction of pain
- Reduction of hypertension and cardiovascular problems
- Decreased insomnia and improved sleep quality and consequently less fatigue
- Stimulation of the immune system and therefore better resistance to disease
- Reduction of attacks and intensity of headache attacks (headaches, migraines)
- Reduction of spasmophilia attacks
Regardless of the type of relaxation or meditation chosen or practiced, the general effects are all in the same direction. People who practice them show a better vital energy, an excellent faculty of adaptation and a much easier access to relaxation or "de-stressing".
Let's remember for those who know that the energy centers (chakras) as well as the channels that allow the circulation of this vital energy are directly connected to our glandular system (adaptive system par excellence). Thus, harmonizing and rebalancing the vital energy and the subtle system that it has circulated can only be beneficial on the physical, physiological, emotional and psychological levels.
The researchers also noted that the practice of relaxation or meditative techniques significantly optimizes recovery and sleep quality as well as stress management and coping with daily challenges. When recuperative sleep is established on a regular basis, all physiological and cognitive functions improve.
Dare to let go
Paradoxically, most of the time it is the people who need to relax the most who are the least successful. Indeed, people who are victims of important stress or great emotional tensions (professional, family, social, etc.) sometimes experience a feeling of distrust or even anxiety. This anxiety and distrust can cause a real stiffening of the muscles, even a real fear or dread of a state that these people do not know. Sometimes, the simple fact of having to relax and let go can be anxiety-provoking. This often masks the fear of not being able to do it or the fear of losing control.
We advise people who are particularly anxious and find it difficult to let go to be accompanied initially by a coach or therapist who will reassure them and introduce them to meditative techniques and/or certain relaxation methods. Once the person is confident, he or she will be able to reproduce the meditative rituals and practice them alone.
These anxious and fearful people can also start with simple breathing exercises lasting a few minutes (see cardiac coherence). Again, it will be repetition and long-term practice that will lead to the best benefits.
It is also important to know that since there are many meditative methods or relaxation techniques, some are more suitable and should be chosen according to your temperament and your own feelings.
Why advise and practice relaxation?
The goal of these various practices is mainly to bring the practitioner to better manage his daily stress and to manage to short-circuit or defuse unnecessary and disabling tensions, tensions that can be mental or physical.
The repeated practice of a state of return to calm makes it easier and faster to reach this state. Thus, in certain difficult daily situations, the person (and his or her body) will have acquired and developed the ability to reach almost immediately a beneficial state close to that reached during relaxation sessions. With practice, getting into this state of relaxation, calmness and letting go will become a reflex that is very easy to use on a daily basis.
In some schools, teachers who have implemented this type of practice with children have seen the calming and balancing effects of these practices on the children's daily behavior.
The benefits of meditation can be felt at any age. Everyone can start using these methods since there are no contraindications and no overdose is possible, although it is necessary to come back to earth from time to time...
In conclusion, a regular practice of meditation or relaxation methods is a real tool to (re)take control of one's life and to reduce the influence of stress or various tensions.