Health

Training inside and outside of the mind

When we think of term ‘healthy’, our minds usually jump to an image of the gym. Of course, gyms are places of fitness and physical wellbeing, but any journey involved in maintaining a healthy lifestyle goes far beyond just the treadmill.

Meditation has long been seen as a component of a healthy life, but recent research is beginning to show how it is more than just a contributing activity. As well as providing palpable physical benefits such as reducing stress and blood pressure, [1] meditation is a being shown as a positive influence on the very underpinning of a healthy lifestyle.

Let’s unpack that…

The qualities usually associated with overall healthiness are physical fitness, long-term bodily health, mental wellbeing and emotional stability. Although any drive for health is worthy of praise, if we focus too much on one of these elements at the expense of another our health becomes imbalanced and incomplete. The ultimate goal is to cultivate an environment of ubiquitous positivity around all aspects of health and that depends entirely on the internal workings of our minds. From stopping addictions, reducing and beating cravings, preventing burnout, and on; all of these tasks are underpinned by one thing – keeping up motivation.

Mindfulness and motivation

In numerous studies [2] [3], meditation has been shown to improve will power and create a mindset ready to make the repetitive everyday decisions that amount to a lifestyle change. Resisting the desire for immediate gratification, like sugar or avoiding the gym, for the sake of future benefits is core principle when it comes to a healthy lifestyle. Meditation teaches this mind-set by illuminating how ephemeral the thoughts that tempt us away from who we would like to be are. by conquering how we react to negative thoughts we are halfway to living a health positive focussed lifestyle.

By conquering how we react to negative thoughts we are halfway to living a health positive focussed lifestyle.

"Practising meditation every morning has given my life structure. The discipline that I cultivate with just 10 minutes every morning spills into every other aspect of my life. I undertake tasks and challenges with a new sense of focus and confidence."

"10 years ago, I was suffering from extreme anxiety. I was recommended mindfulness from a friend. At first, I was unsure, but being at breaking point, I thought I'd give it a try. With a few weeks of practice, I was sleeping again and had a skip in my step. For me, it was a game-changer."

"After two decades of dealing with insomnia, never being able to achieve a restful nights sleep, I knew there had to be a better way. Meditation allowed me to feel like someone who can sleep through the night and approach the new day feeling restored and full of energy."

And here’s for the science, take a look in full:

[1]www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

[2]www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

[3]www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/