Meditation can help you cope with anxiety

MEMBER COLUMN

by Jim Greer

LW contributor

“Undisturbed calmness of mind is attained by cultivating friendliness toward the happy, compassion for the unhappy, delight in the virtuous, and indifference toward the wicked.” This wisdom from the ancient Indian sage Patanjali is the perfect starting point for relieving the stress we have all been feeling during the past six months.

The combination of political, societal and public health upheaval seems to be too much to handle. Fortunately, Patanjali’s phrase, “indifference toward the wicked,” permits us to dismiss expressions of intolerance and divisiveness out of hand. When we sense the negative effect of abrasive opinions, we are free to reject them and not let them infringe on our emotional well-being.

In dealing with the pandemic, what were once routine tasks or pleasures are thwarted by increased tension and anxiety. But there are drug-free forms of relief out there we all can employ. For centuries, forms of meditation have improved outlook and enhanced coping skills in people of all ages.

For many of us, meditation may seem like a foreign practice. In actuality, many of us have been meditating as part of our religious culture for years. The recitation of prayers or Scripture and music in our services are forms of meditation that prepare us for and assist us in our worship.

In her June 22, 2018, US News & World Report article “The Many Benefits of Meditation for Older Adults,” Heidi Godman shared valuable information to help manage anxiety. Godman shared advice based on the research findings of UC San Francisco’s Dr. Stephanie Cheng. “When you meditate, in general, the breath slows down, heart rate slows, blood pressure decreases, stress decreases, digestive function improves, and the sense of tension in the body decreases.”

Cheng goes on to explain that meditation decreases blood pressure and inflammation. It even improves coronary artery disease and helps with post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain and headaches.

Meditation has also helped with reductions in irritable bowel symptoms, depression, anxiety and insomnia. Additional research shows benefit for older adults, including:

• Enhanced short- and long-term memory.

• Alleviated struggles with memory and cognition.

• Improved circulation and oxygen in the blood.

• Decreased stress and increased calming, enabling organized thinking and a clearer perspective.

• Improved focus and sharper minds.

• Reduced feelings of isolation.

Many of Dr. Cheng’s patients experience a reduction in the need for medications as blood pressure, stress and depression decrease. They experience greater well-being, increased peace and quality of life. And perhaps the most important benefit of meditation for those who practice is a recognition of blessings and abundance in their lives, increasing gratitude for what they have. Whether you practice meditation or just mind-body exercises (such as tai chi, qigong, or yoga), these techniques can bring undisturbed calmness of mind. The more frequently you meditate, the more benefit you and those around you receive. This realization is what Patanjali was eluding to when he suggested “cultivating friendliness toward the happy, compassion for the unhappy, delight in the virtuous.” These affirmations provide an “undisturbed calmness of mind.”