Day 2.
What are the consequences of not meditating?
Yesterday we learned the science behind how meditation can help our brain process stress by decreasing the amygdala,
The area that responds to primal stress,
And increasing the prefrontal cortex,
The more evolved part of the brain that is associated with higher order and decision making.
Today we're going to talk about thoughts and how the amygdala helps to shape our reality.
It's said that up to 95% of our thoughts are repetitive.
That means today we'll think almost all of the same thoughts we thought yesterday.
And the day before that.
And the day before that.
And tomorrow?
You guessed it,
It'll pretty much be predictable based on today's thoughts.
The amygdala,
Which is actually made up of two parts,
One in each hemisphere of the brain,
Is like a little memory machine that's primary job is to remember when you felt fear and then remind you of that fear when future events feel similar to the initial event.
Even if there is no inherent danger at present.
When this tiny anxiety-inducing machine is over-functioning,
You may find yourself in a chronic state of stress.
The side effects of chronic stress include things we've normalized,
Like headaches,
Fatigue,
And muscle tension.
It also includes some pretty major health issues,
Like heart disease,
Stroke,
And depression.
Stress affects all systems of the body,
Including musculoskeletal,
Respiratory,
Cardiovascular,
Endocrine,
Gastrointestinal,
Nervous,
And reproductive systems.
So you tell me,
What are the consequences if you choose not to meditate?
Be honest with yourself about the side effects of anxiety.
It's a pandemic that we've normalized,
And the cure can start with as little as one minute a day.
Let's try a visualization meditation now to tune into the amygdala and remind it that we are perfectly safe.
Start by closing your eyes or softening your gaze.
Next,
I invite you to take a deep breath in through your nose,
And gently let it go.
Try that one more time,
A nice,
Big,
Deep breath in through your nose,
And then ever so gently,
Let it go.
Now imagine a soft,
Almond-shaped structure,
Close to the center of your brain.
Since it doesn't communicate with words,
You have to use your energy to show it that you are calm and safe.
Take in another deep breath,
And with it,
Send calming signals to the almond-shaped amygdala.
Imagine that as it receives the messages of peace from you,
It emanates peace back out to your nervous system.
Each time you breathe in,
Send it calming energy,
And each time you breathe out,
It sends you calming energy.
Repeat this as many times as feels right to you,
Until your body feels calm and peaceful.
Each time you practice,
Sending calmness and peace to and from your amygdala,
You remind it that you are safe.
When you are ready,
You can slowly open your eyes and ease back into your day.
I'll meet you back here,
Tomorrow,
For day three.
