There are many things you need to do when the doctor tells you that you need to lower your blood pressure. I was lucky that it was not enough of a problem that I needed medication, not yet! For me, diet and exercise were the easiest solutions. I began each and of course they yielded good results. But I wanted to incorporate something that I had wanted to do for years: meditation.
I had heard all of the good things about meditation. Peace of mind. Relaxation. Lowers stress and blood pressure. It all sounded good but I have a job and a family. How the heck would I fit it in to my schedule? How do I get started? Oh and at 51, I wondered if a gray hair like me could actually do it.
Well, after a few months of doing it, the good news is that my blood pressure has been lowered (along with my weight-due to diet and exercise) and I’m finding that I’m better able to deal with the ups and downs that life throws at me each and every day. I must say that I credit my outlook on the meditation.
The good news is not only that it works, but that any one can do it. For those who consider themselves “too old” for meditation (as I did), the reality is that you may actually be the most appropriate age for it.
How to get started? This is actually easier that I thought. You don’t need a yoga mat. You don’t need to sit in a lotus position. You don’t need chimes, bells, an altar or incense. If you’ve got a chair, you can do this.
I found that the best thing for me was a 99 cents ap for my iPhone called “Simply Being” (http://www.meditationoasis.com/smartphone-apps/iphone-ipod-touch-ipad-apps/). This ap allows you to start with a five minute meditation and work up to a 10 or 15 minute meditation. It provides nature sounds, music and a comforting voice guiding you through the meditation. It couldn’t be easier and the results will be immediate.
If you don’t have an iPhone, don’t fret. All you need is to set aside 5 or 10 minutes of quiet time in a comfortable spot. It may help to use a kitchen timer to alert you when your time is up.
Simply sit peacefully. Close your eyes. What works for me is to then count my breaths. This works for me and but it may not be the most effective option for you (you can find many solutions and ideas on the internet through Googling ‘meditation’).
The key becomes to concentrate on what you’re doing now. Thoughts will come to you. The important thing is to let them but don’t dwell on them. Let them go. I promise they’ll come back after your meditation (they may not be as important then).
Enjoy the peace and quiet. It’s your time to do nothing. When you end your meditation, you’ll be amazed at how refreshing doing nothing is. (try this before you get started: http://www.donothingfor2minutes.com/ )
I think the interesting thing about meditation that I’ve learned is that it can be accomplished in so many ways. If you’re religious, you can say prayers and that constitutes meditation. If you love nature, meditation can be enjoying the sounds of the woods and spending time looking at trees. It’s whatever works for you but the results will include not only improved health but a better sense of enjoying the small pleasures of life.
And at this point in our lives, it’s the perfect time to stop, be silent and enjoy the wonders that life provides us. They’re all around you. Meditation makes you appreciate the world outside of you by calming the world inside of you. Try it! You’ll like it!
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