Guest Blog Written By: Dr. Jen Cisternino Naturopathic Doctor
More than ever before, people today are looking for an alternative way to help them cope with everyday stresses and health concerns. We are awakening to the realization that we have more power over our health than any doctor. Old beliefs have it that a doctor will heal you and you must seek their help when you are not feeling well. New concepts, actually not new to ancient medicines at all, are emerging which challenge that very notion.
What are doctors doing for us? If you ask a doctor, they say they are saving lives. How? Through early detection, diagnosis and treatment. What role then do YOU have in your health? Do you rely on doctors to find what is wrong with you and wait for them to “fix you”? News flash! No one can fix you but YOU. You need to realize that you play a role in your health. You have the most control over your risk of disease, prevention, detection and treatment. How do you play a role? Through your thoughts, behaviours, lifestyle habits, emotions and overall perspective.
Most people do not “check in” with themselves on a daily basis to see how their body feels and how their mind is thinking. They do not spend time addressing their thoughts and emotions in a healthy way. Instead, this fast paced world has them reaching for more food, cigarettes, medications or marijuana for a quick fix.
What can you do to help yourself? MINDFULNESS MEDITATION. This is a practice of stilling the mind to bring your awareness to the present moment. Why would we need to do this? Because the present moment is the only moment we have control over and it determines our future moments.
When we still our minds, we gain access to a deeper awareness about our bodies and mind. This information can help us make changes to better our health and lives. When we are still and focusing on our breathing, we are also creating a calming, peaceful place in our body where healing can occur.
You can think of meditation as transforming the mind. Creating a happier perspective and releasing limiting beliefs about one self and others. Research has shown that daily meditation can improve:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Stress and Overwhelm
- IBS
- Anger
- ADD/ADHD
- among many others conditions
If you have never meditated before or are not sure where to start, simply sit or lye down in a quiet room and start counting your breathes in and out. Do this for 5 minutes. As thoughts come into your mind, simply let them go. You can image them floating away in a balloon. If you get restless, this is normal. It takes practice and commitment. You didn’t learn how to walk in one day! It takes effort to still the mind and develop a greater sense of peace and calm within.
I offer one on one consulting to help you quiet your mind and find inner peace. I help all my patients gain a deeper understanding of their state of health and how their mental and emotional state greatly influences the physical body.
Much love and peace!
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