MEDITATION - HEALING FROM WITHIN

There are many forms of meditation and many are very good, but the point of this newsletter is not to discuss the history and forms of meditation but to review the benefits. Some have achieved true physical healing of wounds through meditation. Others have achieved healing of inner emotional and psychological wounds and yet others have taken meditation past the point of healing to ultimately become self-actualized and at peace inside and out. This concept of healing and improving from the inside out is one of the major premises of the chiropractic philosophy and is what you experience when you are a practice member/patient. We have become so accustomed to the traditional 'outside-in' healing philosophy of modern-day medicine the thought that we can just take a pill or have something removed and achieve a 'quick fix.'

THERE ARE NO 'QUICK FIXES', just band aids to cover up the symptoms temporarily while the problem festers and becomes larger and eventually resurfaces in a more severe fashion. For example, yes antibiotics will resolve a bacterial infection but why wasn't your body able to fight off the infection? Poor immunity? Your body was overcome by to many other stressors?

                                   

I am writing about meditation because, along with chiropractic and other positive lifestyle habits, long lasting, safe and effective healing from the inside out can be achieved. What you need to understand is that the body is a tremendous self-healing and self-regulating organism that does a wonderful job of healing from the inside out but when we overload our systems with stress (chemical, physical or mental/emotional) our bodies need some help digging out from under this heavy load and it is the following positive lifestyle habits that provide the assistance needed.

1. Chiropractic Care ' The nervous system is the master control system of the body. Interference in the nervous system, called subluxation, (primarily caused by stress) interferes with the body's ability to function properly. Chiropractic care removes the interference in the nervous system allowing the body to function properly and heal itself.

2. Proper Nutrition and Hydration ' The body needs enough water and nutrients to perform its basic functions. Without proper nutrition and hydration our body deteriorates and is not able to function properly.

3. Exercise - Exercise keeps the body tone, healthy and strong. Lack of exercise leads to many problems such as obesity (the fastest growing epidemic in the United States) and poor cognition.

4. MEDITATION
In simple terms, meditation is a way of slowing down, blocking out all of the external distractions and relaxing. Much simpler said than done, the goal is to turn off your internal dialogue and clear your mind of everything.

Yes I know, you don't think you have time for this. You are busy, you have kids, you have to work & THINK AGAIN, you don't have time not to do this. Meditation can be done for minutes or hours and some is better then none.

Benefits of Meditation

1. Increases sensation of being at peace with yourself and the world.
2. Makes you feel more rested.
3. Helps you get more in touch with yourself (spiritually, emotionally and physically).
4. Provides a wonderful break in the day to invigorate you for the rest of the day.
5. Enhances mental focus.
6. Increases overall health and longevity.

- these are just a few benefits of meditation, there are many more.

How To Get Started

There are many forms of meditation and you may want to do some research to see what clicks for you but some of the main points are as follows:
1. Pick a nice quite and relaxing spot with a comfortable climate.
2. Wear comfortable clothing.
3. Sit in a comfortable position (varies based on type of meditation, but for now, just sit comfortably).
4. Eyes may be closed or partially open, but not looking at anything specifically.
5. Breath slowly and deeply into the abdomen.
6. Focus on your breathing and try to allow thoughts to pass through your head. Whenever you notice you are thinking about something, allow it to pass through.

Healthy Tips

  

Vitamin D is important in general overall health.

Vitamin D is the sunshine vitamin.  During the winter months in the Pacific Northwest we suffer a deficiency unless we are using a daily sun lamp or are supplementing Vitamin D capsules.  I recommend 4,000 IUs a day from now until the spring.

Increased infections such as colds and flu seem to be associated with low Vitamin D levels.  I have had good success with seasonal affective disorder (winter blues) with Vitamin D sometimes in conjunction with St. Johns Wort.