The real benefit of meditation shines through when one is trying to overcome negative emotions. Thoughts have the power to overwhelm us, especially when they turn into a Ping-Pong circuit, and put us in turmoil. According to the University of Southern California’s Laboratory of Neuro-imaging, we experience upto 70,000 thoughts of all kinds every day.
These thoughts have an impact on the entire body because in response to these thoughts, hormones are secreted in the body that impacts the entire nervous system. For instance, in stressful thoughts, fight or flight hormone cortisol is secreted in the body that impacts every organ. On the other hand, in relaxed situations, the body produces oxytocin and serotonin which put the body in ease and tranquillity.
Powered by this knowledge, we can safely conclude that if we control our thoughts, and channel them into more positive thinking, we can improve our body’s state and make ourselves more connected to the world around. Even though it sounds easier to say, in reality, empowering the mind is the real challenge.
Yoga and meditation can help train us in dealing with our thoughts and channelling them into more positive outcomes. In states when the thoughts are intensely negative, meditation can help us deal with them, and eventually turn them into more positive reactions. Read on to find how you can use meditation to overcome negative thoughts:
How to meditate?
1- Every thought gives rise to physical sensation; this means that when you have negative thoughts, your body feels it somewhere or the other. The practice of welcoming opposite thoughts, allows you to tune into sensations associated with each thought, and then turning them around.
2- Sit comfortably in a relaxed environment, with eyes open or closed. Tune yourself into your surroundings: feel the air on your skin, bring your thoughts to the present, and regulate your breathing. Locate a stressful thought like ‘I should have done differently’ or ‘I am broke’, and feel the impact of this thought on your body.
3- Do you feel it in your gut, or your throat tightens, or you feel tense? Now follow this stressful thought with a positive one; change the thoughts into something like ‘I am doing what I know best’ and ‘I am capable’. Repeat the thoughts in your mind, and reaffirm your soul.
4- Whenever you feel yourself drifting, turn back and look at your mind. Without judging yourself, check where your mind is going off to. It might be that you are avoiding the analysis of your thoughts, or that you do not even want to acknowledge what is giving you stress.
5- In such a scenario, disassociate yourself from the thought, and just see the impact this thought has on your physical self. When you locate the site where it causes you discomfort, gently place a hand on it, and turn your thought into a more positive one. Reassure yourself that you are not running away from your emotions, but gently placing them in a more positive location.
Stressful minds can turn into unhealthy bodies; if you have a stressful situation in life, then take time to unwind and catch up with your health. Book an appointment with a top psychologist in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi through oladoc.com, or call our helpline at 042-3890-0939 for assistance to find the RIGHT professional for your concerns.
