HOW MEDITATION MAY HELP

November 4, 2018 /
Complementary & Alternative therapies and devices for Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Simple methods for staying relaxed

For many people, the word “meditation” calls up images of alternative lifestyles or non-Western traditions. However, public perception of meditation has started to shift in recent years due to the scientific community’s growing interest in the topic.
There’s still no conclusive proof that meditation makes a measurable, biochemical change in the body or the mind. But some psychologists have proposed that this form of relaxation may help people, including those with multiple sclerosis (MS), reach a calmer state of mind. And this could help reduce the impact of stress.

Many paths to calm

There are many ways to meditate. Just keep an open mind and see which type of meditation works best for you. Before you begin a meditation session, talk to your doctor, select a quiet place, dress comfortably, and find a comfortable place to sit.
Common meditation techniques include:

Thinking breath

A practice of focusing exclusively on your breath.
  • Feel the cool air rushing in through your nostrils as you inhale, and the warm air brushing against your upper lip as you exhale
  • Don’t be discouraged if other thoughts enter your mind. View them the same way you view scenery from the passenger seat of a moving car—let them vanish in the distance
  • Turn your thoughts again to your breath, keeping track of every detail as you breathe in and out—and feel the tension slip away

Visualization

The goal of visualization is to shift your thoughts away from everyday concerns to an imaginary world of your own choosing.
  • Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and imagine a calm scene. It could be a place you’ve actually been to or a place you’d like to visit. If your mind wanders, start again
  • Experience the scene with your mind. If you chose a tropical scene, use your imagination to hear the waves brushing the shoreline and see the palm trees sway
  • Continue to explore for about 10 minutes. You’ll begin to feel relief as stressful elements in your real environment are gradually replaced in your mind by the tranquil sights on your imaginary horizon
  • Now go one step further and imagine yourself actually entering the scene you’ve created               
 

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