In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it can be easy to just set your body on autopilot and focus on everything else around you. It’s even worse if you experience some degree of content doing the same things day in and day out; these habits can be easy to get into, but difficult to identify and break out of.

Over time, the monotony will begin to mold you into a more negative person, changing the way you think and live. Meditation is an amazing way to combat this cycle that countless people end up in. It has not yet been accepted as a cultural norm, but society is slowly beginning to realize the benefits of it.

Meditation Isn’t Time Consuming
According to Joan Borysenko, PhD, who is a distinguished pioneer in integrative medicine and a world-class expert in the mind/body connection, “Meditation is making your mind your ally rather than your enemy.” You need to be able to reason and think logically, and avoid letting yourself run on automatic.

When you meditate, you will find that your anxiety will be rerouted down a less destructive path. As Dr. Borysenko accurately puts it, “Do you check in with your friends? Coworkers? Spouse? When did you ever check in with yourself?” It may seem unfamiliar, but stop for a moment and have a brief dialogue with yourself. Ask yourself things like “How am I doing today?” or “Do I need to stop, relax, and gain control, or am I fine?”

During meditation, what you do is gain conscious control of your mind, and a better understanding of how it works. There is no need to spend 30 to 60 minutes meditating every day, and anyone can fit it into his or her schedule. In the mornings for example, you might be tempted to lie in bed an extra few minutes and lament about the day ahead of you, with all of the tasks that need to be done. Right away you will be releasing stress hormones, and your day will be on a fast track to negativity. Instead, spend those few moments to think about what important tasks lay ahead of you, and be thankful that you can get them done as needed. Fill your mind with positive thoughts, and there won’t be any room for negative ones.

If you are new to meditation, you may not realize the impact it can have on your attitude and life. To get started, Dr. Borysenko recommends at least five minutes each day doing breathing exercises. Start by breathing in slowly, and think about how the breath feels going through your nose and into your body. Focus on exhaling and how the air is escaping you. Repeat this a few times and you will slowly find yourself drifting away from the outside world, and hone in on your mind. Once you achieve this clearer state, you’ll notice the stress or anger you were feeling doesn’t really belong there, and you will have a much easier time letting go of it. When you resume normal activity, you’ll come back a smarter, more whole person.


In this segment, Joan Borysenko, PhD, shares how meditation can help you positively grow towards a healthier and happier life.