5 Reasons To Make Meditation Part of Your Self-Care Routine

If the last 2 years have taught us anything, it’s that uncertainty is the new norm. And with so much going on, self-care has never been more important.

It’s been challenging to build consistency and reassurance into our daily work, finances, relationships, and routines. So, it’s no wonder so many of us feel disheartened! One of the few silver linings during the pandemic has been the explosion of interest in self-care. Here’s why we should practice it, and how it can improve our overall well-being.

So What is Self-Care, Exactly?

Well, self-care looks like different things to different people.

Self-care can look like this:

Getting a massage
Take five minutes just for you in the morning as you sip your coffee
Watercoloring, painting, making art
Working out
Journalling
Focusing on your breath
Taking a warm sudsy bubble bath
Aromatherapy
Meditating
Singing your favorite songs
Reading
Reconnecting with a close friend

Self-care can even look like having a Risky Business dance montage as Bob Seger’s Old Time Rock n’ Roll plays in the background!

Muse’s Recommendation for Self-Care

It should come as no surprise to anyone that our favorite form of self-care here at Muse is meditation…duh! Meditation is key for developing inner clarity and helps us learn skills to And don’t worry, there’s plenty of research to back it up.

Before exploring how meditation supports anxious thoughts and stress relief, let’s quickly review how chronic stress and anxiety affect our health.

Stress & the body

When we’re stressed or anxious, our body enters fight or flight survival mode and releases a hormone called cortisol. When maintained for short bursts, our body is able to quickly recover and return to normal, balanced functioning.

But when we get stuck in a cycle of chronic stress, our body gets stuck in flight or fight mode. Left unchecked, chronic stress leaves our bodies out of balance. Over time, certain systems can become stuck in hyperarousal.

At the same time, other “non-essential” systems (like the immune, digestive, and reproductive systems) suffer from diverted resources. When left unchecked, we can feel unfocused, emotional, and withdrawn [1].

Because stress affects so many biological processes, chronic stress can also contribute to [1]:

Decreased immune system function
Type II diabetes
Heart disease
Hypertension
Arthritis
Addiction (alcohol, substances, food, gambling, etc.)
Mood disorders
Anxiety disorders

So if you’re wondering if prioritizing stress relief is worth it, you’re on the right path. Stress is something we can only ignore for so long until it forces us to stop and pay attention. Luckily, you can avoid these negative consequences of chronic stress and anxiety by making self-care a staple of your routine!

Why Choose Meditation for Stress Relief

Research has finally been catching up with what anecdotal evidence has suggested for years. Meditation is a restorative practice that can offer quite a number of benefits.

For instance, consider one study that set out to explore how short meditations could impact mental health professionals. They found that just one five minute session seven days in a row led to significant decreases in stress [2]. Another review published by Johns Hopkins University found that mindfulness meditation programs showed moderate improvements in anxiety, depression, and pain .