Through Meditation
If you are going through perimenopause, you may be feeling pains that usually do not have an apparent explanation. It can be in the joints, maybe your lower back, feet, legs, anywhere. Do you wonder, “what’s wrong with me?” Maybe you think, “it is just that I’m getting old”; you may feel miserable.
I have good news for you. This is not forever, and also, you can fight it and get rid of it even before it appears. How? With a simple meditation practice.
Scientists have been studying Zen monks to learn how meditation helps them cope with chronic and occasional pain. While some of his accomplishments depend on his faith, many of his techniques can be used by anyone. Whether you already have a meditation practice or not, the suggestions below can help ease the pain.
Tools For Meditation
Appreciate the mind-body connection. Our health depends on a wide range of factors. Our mind and body interact closely. The pain we experience due to physical conditions like arthritis also affects us emotionally.
Reduce apprehension. Your reaction to pain may become exaggerated if you anticipate that it will occur. Fear of pain is a good thing when it helps you avoid dangerous situations. It is less helpful if you focus on how your back will continue to hurt. Mindfulness meditation helps you live in the present moment and take a break from worrying about the future.
Manage anxiety. Studies show that experienced mediators feel pain but experience less emotional impact. Even beginners can use meditation as a useful distraction. With practice, you may become more adept at noticing the affected body part, but you won’t get angry about it. You may be able to notice the pain sensation without judging it as unpleasant.
Fight depression. Depression is known to make the pain worse. When meditation helps you feel happier and more peaceful, it also gives you greater protection against all kinds of afflictions.
Loosen. Many people feel the tension around an injured body part. If you are nursing a stiff neck, you can focus on relaxing the area and opening it up. Imagine your breath flowing through the muscles, where it warms and heals them.
6. Involve the pain. Pain can attract your full attention when it becomes severe. In such cases, trying to resist can make things worse. Some patients find relief by taking an active role in rating the relative intensity of their symptoms or observing how they increase and decrease over time.
7. Start early. It is much more difficult to learn to meditate when you are recovering from back surgery. By starting your practice early, you will be better prepared to deal with the common medical problems or pains that accompany aging.
When You Are Not In Meditation
1. Understand the relevance of meditation breaks – you will probably spend most of your life away from the meditation cushion. By learning to access the states of mind you achieve while meditating, you can take advantage of those benefits anytime you want.
2. Use the pain as a signal. Even if you need to keep working when a headache strikes, you can guide yourself with constructive reminders on dealing with it. Use everyday discomforts to check with yourself and see if anxiety and apprehension are building up.
3. Protect yourself from depression. Depression can affect anyone, but you can lower your risks. A healthy lifestyle and a positive attitude can make it easier to stay on track.
4. Reduce other sources of stress. Living with chronic pain can have a great emotional impact. If possible, build a strong support network and avoid taking on too many obligations.
5. Talk to your doctor. If pain symptoms continue, talk to your doctor about other available treatment methods. Fortunately, meditation can be used to complement conventional approaches.
Conclusion
Meditation is an affordable and effective method of treating physical and emotional suffering without harmful side effects. Your skills will improve with practice so you can spend less time worrying about pain and more time enjoying life.
You know, as someone who has always thought the day should only consist of activities and no sitting around or doing nothing. I have always looked down at meditation as a ‘waste of time’ but as I have read your article and surfed around your site I can see how much importance there is hidden in it and how many benefits it can bring to the light. Thank you so much for sharing this with us
Hey Misael,
Thank you for your honest comment. I appreciate your reading my article, and I truly hope this is the beginning of a new stage in your life. Meditation is a magnificent tool to help you solve many issues.
Thank you for sharing this here with us. I feel that so much more can be done, and if the right energy is in place, a lot more can be achieved. What you have shared here is just great to see, and I appreciate the overview here. Thanks for sharing this here with us all. Thanks for sharing all these here
Thank you, Liza!