By: Mike McCoy
someone who suffers from chronic headaches, you know how the pain can sometimes immobilize you and keep you from completing your daily tasks and responsibilities. Since many headaches are caused by built-up tension that we hold in our neck due to our inability to deal with the stress and chaos of our everyday lives, finding a way to deal with the stress that may be causing the headaches is a smart way to deal with them and possibly even prevent future headaches. What is Meditation? – Meditation is an age-old practice of simply quieting the mind of the buzzing thoughts that swirl around throughout the day to find a state of calm serenity. Some people quickly respond, “Meditation doesn’t work for me.” They may feel frustrated because they have not been able to successfully get rid of the swirling thought patterns and instead of finding calm they feel like they are simply chasing their thoughts around. For those people, a more active form of meditation might be in order, such as listening to a guided meditation where the speaker’s voice gently guides your meditation journey, or a walking meditation where you focus on your breath and your steps. But the main goal of meditation is to remove your focus from thought and instead move it inward to focus on the peace and silence within. How Does Meditation Relieve Headaches? – Because meditation brings the body into a thoroughly relaxed state of awareness, it can relieve that excited, adrenaline-fueled pain response, taking the mind off of the pain on a physical, mental and emotional level. Meditation also reduces the anxiety and elevated blood pressure associated with pain. As an efficient way to handle the stress of daily life, cultivating a daily meditation practice can prevent headaches by maintaining your overall well-being, a sense of calm and the ability to keep all of your priorities in perspective. How Do I Get Started With Meditation? – You’ll want to find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed for a while. Wear soft, loose, comfortable clothing. You can meditate either laying flat on your back with your spine straight, or sitting up with your legs folded in front of you. If you are not accustomed to sitting in this position, you might want to use a meditation cushion to support your bottom. Light a candle and play soft music unless you are listening to a guided meditation. Do not go into the experience with any expectations. No matter the outcome, you cannot fail at meditation! Where Can I Find Meditation Resources? – You can find lots of free meditation resources if you do a search at your favorite search engine. You can download free meditation music and guided meditation audios. Visit your favorite bookstore or your local library to find books and CDs on meditation if you’d like to develop a regular meditation practice. In addition to relieving the pain of headaches, meditation can improve your overall sense of wellness and better equip you to handle the pressure of life.