Meditation has been used since the dawn of time for a variety of different purposes and for anyone suffering from insomnia, or unable to sleep as the result of worry or stress, then daily meditation exercises can prove a powerful aid to sleep.
If you are one of the millions of people who suffer from insomnia then you could well benefit from a dose of daily meditation. Meditation and health have long been linked and for very good reason, as meditation is very strong medicine!
There are numerous types of meditation available nowadays and it is a good idea to try several different types of meditation before choosing the one which suits you best and which gives you the greatest benefit.
It is important however, before looking at meditation exercises, to understand that meditation is based upon the building blocks of visualization (or imagery), breathing exercises and relaxation exercises. So, if you are just starting out, you will find that you will get better results from your meditation if you begin with visualization, breathing and relaxation exercises. When you feel comfortable with these, then you will find that moving on to meditation will not only be easier, but will also be much more fruitful.
The secret is to make exercise part of your daily routine. You should try a number of different exercises until you find a couple that suit you and then add these to a daily routine.
Remember too that there is no right or wrong way to do visualization, breathing and relaxation exercises and you should adapt the exercises that you try to suit your own needs. Experiment with your own variations and discover what works best for you.
This said, there are several things that you can do so that you get the maximum out of your exercise routine. To help reduce distraction and increase relaxation, take the following steps before performing any exercise:
1. Remove restrictive or tight clothing.
2. Find somewhere quiet and, preferably, with a low light level. You may find that having some quiet music or some form of aromatherapy also helps.
3. Make sure that the room is at a comfortable temperature.
4. Make sure that you are sitting or lying comfortably. If you have problems getting comfortable, try using pillows for support.
Most importantly, keep in mind the fact that we all have different physical limitations and so, if at anytime you feel uncomfortable or experience any distress while performing your exercises, then stop immediately. Think about changes that you can make to the exercise that will help you to be more comfortable and then try again.
Finally, remember that there are no hard and fast rules and don’t be afraid to let your creative juices flow and find out just what works best for you.
