Meditation and Depression - Meditation is One of the Most Prescribed Remedies For Depression

You hear a lot today about meditation and depression. Meditation, if practiced correctly, can really help you reduce the severity of your depression, or even eliminate it all together. I can honestly say that meditation has helped me cope with depression in the past. While meditation is generally associated with spirituality, and has its deep roots in metaphysics, you don't have to be a spiritual person or subscribe to any particular spiritual belief to benefit from the effects of meditation.

To better get an understanding of this, let's first discuss some of the main symptoms of depression.
lack of focus and concentration
increased levels of stress
irritability and mood fluctuations
increased insomnia

While there are many more symptoms of depression than what's listed above, my primary purpose is to just focus on the areas that can be improved through meditation.

So now let's look at some of the benefits of meditation. They include the following:
connection with all that is
raising consciousness
reducing stress
helping with insomnia
an increased ability to focus and concentrate
elevation in mood and well being

As you look at the list above, focus on the ones listed in bold. You can see the benefits of meditation that one can expect to receive if they are willing to start up a meditation program and follow through in a a consistent manner. These benefits are a match to many of the symptoms that exist in depression. So how do you begin this process you may ask?

Well, let me first say that there is no PERFECT meditation system for one person. Some folks do really well using the assistance of binaural beat technology, while others prefer more of the free form variety. The point is that, you should do whatever works the best for YOU.

A good place to start is to find a cool environment where you will be free from distractions for 15 to 30 minutes. If you suffer from anxiety due to your depression, and are not able to sit still for 15 minutes, then start with 5 minutes. You can then add 2 to 5 minutes every day or week until you can meditate for 30 minutes at a time without any resistance pushing back.

A good way to start off the meditation is with breathing exercises. Imagine each body part going limp, starting from your feet and working your way up to your head. Spend about 2 to 5 minutes with this process. You need to be in a completely relaxed state, both physically and mentally before you move on.

Once you are completely relaxed, proceed with vivid imagery to take yourself deeper. For example, imagine yourself in a lush environment, such as a forest, park, or on a sandy beach.

Now begin by saying affirmations to yourself, either out loud or in your mind. Affirmations such as "I'm no longer depressed", or "I feel better each and every day", or "my depression is fading day by day". You can also imagine yourself wearing a jacket with the word "depression" on it, and after you say the affirmations, you remove the jacket and it dissolves in a sea of light.

This is just one example, but the sky is the limit. Try it for a week or two, if you are not seeing even a slight improvement in how you feel, then try different affirmations or different visualizations. The important thing is to be persistent. The results will come!