Does Meditation Really Work?

In the quest for clarity and focus, we tend to lose sight of the importance of focusing on fine tuning a very important organ, our brain. We heavily emphasize the importance of exercising and eating right as essential parts of our overall health regimen but we forget that our brains need attention too. There isn’t as much discussion on how to shut off the mind and stay focused and clear in achieving success when you are working hard at school, at work, or at building a business. When our brains are working right, we are clear, focused, and positive. When are brains are not working right, we are negative, depressed, and lethargic. This is why focusing on the brain is as critical as focusing on your body fat or diet. So how do you focus on the brain?

You can start by reading more about your brain -- there are many great brain books. Two of the most recent books I read on this subject are “Making a Good Brain Great” by Dr. Daniel Amen and “Brain Maker” by David Perlmutter and Kristin Loberg. These books contain great insight as to how to protect your brain, how to eat the right foods to prevent brain illnesses, and brain exercises that keep your brain engaged. As the saying goes “use it; don't lose it.”

Another way to focus on your brain’s health is to meditate. I was never a big believer in meditation -- I thought of it as too new age for me. I made excuses as to why I had no time for it but now that I have been practicing it, I understand the importance of daily reflection, of clearing your brain from the daily clutter that consumes it. Have you ever watched something disturbing and it takes a while for you to shake it? Or have you ever listened to a song that brings back a sad memory? These are examples of how your brain can be triggered and you have to quickly change your thoughts to snap out of it. The problem is that daily our brain is inundated with thoughts and images that are not moving us towards our goals, that are not positive and energizing, and you aren’t even aware of it. Your brain is zapped daily by news, gossip, other people’s agenda, so many conscious and unconscious thoughts and images that it can’t turn off. This leads to stress, insomnia, panic attacks and so on.

The idea of daily mediation is to gain control of your brain and your thoughts, to declutter the brain, change the channel to the white noise station so it can reset. Your brain needs this just like your computer and cell phone need to reboot periodically to work efficiently. When you start meditating, you may find it difficult to shut your mind and turn off your thoughts. You might find that you really stink at it. Don’t give up. Keep at it. You will find it extremely beneficial and you will regain control of yourself. Your exercise routine is not complete without the daily exercise of your brain.

You can meditate by just staying quiet, focusing on your breathing. Slowly breathe in through your nose until you can’t fill your lungs any longer and then breathe out through your mouth until all of the air is out. Try this a few times to start relaxing. You may also choose to use guided meditations. My favorite app for mediation is Insight Timer -- it is free and has so many options to choose from. I do a short 5 to 10 minute morning mediation and a sleep meditation which I always fall asleep and never hear to its entirety... I guess that is the point. Another popular meditation app is Headspace. They offer a free 10-day beginner course, and if you like it, they have three subscription options -- $12.99/month, a one-time annual payment equating to $7.99/month, or a lifetime subscription for $399.99. Enjoy and take care of your brain, there are too many stressed out and unhappy people out there. Don’t be one of them!

Here are 6 daily tips to declutter and reset your brain.

1. Do a short 5-10 minute morning mediation.
2. Do not watch news or listen to gossip. (Believe me, this is not helping you reach your goals and you can’t do anything about it, it is a waste of your time and energy.)
3. Find reasons to laugh during the day; it is the best brain medicine.
4. Disconnect at night -- no news, no disturbing television shows.
5. Write in a journal and reflect things you are grateful for.
6. Sleep meditation or prayer before you go to sleep.

- Bellaria Jimenez