FitSpirit: Doing nothing good for your health
FitSpirit explores the mind-body connection and the intangible benefits we gain from our efforts to stay physically fit.I don't do well with sitting still. Truth be told, it makes me tired. If I keep moving, I stay awake. So in general, I keep moving. On occasion, I do give in to relaxation. I love pedicures, a good massage, vegging in front of the TV at night, and sometimes, I might even be caught sitting silently, soaking up the peace around me. If done properly, this practice is known as meditation.
Meditation means sitting quietly and focusing on one neutral thing, like your breathing or a single repeated word. The long-term goal of meditation is to become less dependent on the ego and its constant cravings for novelty, attention, power, sex, food, and so on. Proper meditation makes us more centered and less stressed out. It can make people happier, maybe even smarter. One study showed that meditators shift their brain activity to different areas of the cortex -- brain waves in the stress-prone right frontal cortex move to the calmer left frontal cortex. This shift decreases the negative effects of stress, mild depression, and anxiety. Meditators also enjoy less activity in the amygdala, where the brain processes fear.
Meditation, traditionally used in religious or cultural settings, has become a form of mind-body medicine and is used as a healing strategy for individuals with health concerns ranging from insomnia to cancer. The National Institutes of Health even considers it vital for health and wellness. Who knew doing nothing could be so good for you?
To get started on your own meditation path, Discovery Health offers this how-to guide.
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