Meditation: The Underrated Importance of Pausing

We are constantly bombarded with advice on how to live healthier, happier lives. Eat your vegetables, exercise for 30 minutes a day, limit screen time before bed. It can be easy to tune out all of this noise, especially when we're already feeling overwhelmed.

But what if I told you that one of the most important things you can do for your physical and mental health is to simply pause?

That's right, meditation.

I know what you're thinking. "Meditation? That's for hippies and gurus."

But hear me out. Meditation is not about becoming a spiritual master or achieving enlightenment. It's simply about taking some time each day to sit quietly and focus on your breath.

That's it.

Sounds easy, right? But it's not always easy to do. Our minds are constantly racing, and it can be difficult to quiet them down. Even as someone who is educated and versed in physical fitness and emotional well-being, I have the tendency to get overwhelmed with information, frustrated with unattained goals and challenged with everyday life. Basically, I know what I need to do, it’s just doing it that becomes an issue. But with practice, it gets easier.

And the benefits are worth it. Meditation has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It can also improve sleep, focus, and creativity.

I have experienced that when I meditate, I feel a little less “crazy”. Identifying as a Type A personality with road rage and trouble sleeping, you see why I would entertain the idea. I approach it gently. I try to just show up. Everyday, I try to set aside some time to just be. There is no right or wrong way to do it. The only goal is to try to find stillness, and silence the over-involved mind. It takes time; but trust that whatever efforts you are making, it's a step in the right direction.

I'm not saying that meditation is a cure-all. But it's definitely a helpful tool for managing stress and improving your overall well-being.

If you're not sure where to start, there are many resources available online and in libraries. There are also apps and websites that offer guided meditations. I love the Calm App!

Just start with a few minutes each day, and see how you feel. You might be surprised at how much difference it makes.

Here are some tips for getting started with meditation:

• Find a quiet place where you won't be interrupted.

• Sit in a comfortable position, either on the floor or in a chair.

• Close your eyes and focus on your breath.

• Notice the rise and fall of your chest as you inhale and exhale.

• If your mind wanders, gently bring it back to your breath.

• There is no right or wrong way to meditate. Just do your best to be present and focused.

It wasn’t until I started meditating, that I realized the importance of pausing, sitting, listening…receiving. Don’t get me wrong, I am still a work in progress. I do not do it everyday and can usually not sit more than 10 minutes…and that’s usually with a guided meditation! But I do notice the difference; especially when I am consistent. The thing about meditation is that it doesn’t show its benefits immediately. It is something that evolves within you over time. It has this way of increasing your threshold. Triggers become less erratic, answers to questions become more prominent, feelings become more established and honest. Sometimes just by sitting still, maybe in silence, maybe with music, maybe with guided prompts, we tend to access the ability to peel away the layers of distraction and expose a clearer perspective or meaning of things.

Meditation is a journey, not a destination. It takes time and practice to develop a regular meditation practice. But the benefits are worth it. So give it a try, and see how it works for you.

“You should sit in meditation for twenty minutes everyday- unless you’re busy; then you should sit for an hour.” -Dr. Sukhraj Dhillon