Meditation is a centuries-old practice proven to clear the mind, promoting not only mental but physical wellness. But how can we implement it, and how important is it truly for creating mental clarity and cognitive function? To best understand the myriad benefits meditation can bring to our lives, as well as some suggestions on how to get started, we spoke to in-house Meditation Mentor at Home House, Elizabeth Martin. Coupling extensive professional training with personal experience and practice, her unique perspective has helped guide many mentees to a fuller and more optimised life.
What are some of the benefits of meditation, beyond mental wellbeing?
Meditation has been scientifically proven to improve your health, boost your immune system, increase your vitality, flood your mind with an oxytocin bliss lift and protect your energy against negativity. My meditations regulate your heart rate, balance your central nervous system, reduce anxiety and lift your life force vibration.
I incorporate my business background into meditations, to train the mind to work at the optimum level for clarity and creativity. It shifts into what I call a flow state, so everything in life becomes effortless. We don't meditate to become better at meditation, we meditate to become better at life.
Will meditation help me with my sleeping issues?
Yes. Meditation teaches you how to quieten your thoughts and shift your mind into your still point, dropping quickly into sleep. You literally lower your energy frequencies into a gentle peacefulness and tranquillity. Meditation is particularly helpful in what I call 'the witching hour' when you wake up in your light sleep in the early hours with so much on your mind. Rather than panicking about not being able to sleep and how tired you will be the next day if you softly drift into a meditative state, you will naturally sleep. Bad sleeping patterns are often due to underlying anxiety or stress; once we sort out those subconscious issues, you begin to have good sleeping habits.
I've always struggled with meditation. Do you have any tips on how to start?
It's good to start with a Meditation Teacher or the help of an app. It's about retraining your brain to shift into stillness. Once you have rewired your cognitive pathways to meditate, it will be easy to move into Liminal Weightlessness, which is the scientific term for when the left and the right hemispheres of your brain are in perfect balance.
We are all so busy in our minds; we have forgotten how to be still. Personally, my approach is to teach my clients to interweave their meditation practice into their daily lives; even five minutes can reset your mind for clarity. You do not need to go to a temple to meditate, you can meditate on the tube, in your garden or the park. And wherever you are in the world, you always have a sacred meditation chamber—the loo!
Are there different types of meditation?
There are many different types of meditation – it's about finding which type suits you. I have interwoven the many different styles I have learnt to create my own unique form of meditation which I both practice and I teach. The brain loves habits; if you create good habits, it will hardwire those into your cognitive pathways.
Does meditation have a tangible effect on your life?
Absolutely. I'm living proof! I've been meditating for over 20 years... six years ago, I had neurosurgery to remove a brain tumour. I was told I would never be cognitively quite the same. I took a year out of life to sit and meditate for two hours every day and heal my mind. Meditation is Medication. If you want to feel present, composed and vital in every single moment, even the difficult moments... try meditation.
Elizabeth hosts weekly Sound Healing Meditations for members—to learn more, speak to your lifestyle manager or contact her directly.
