Meditation is stilling your mind and quieting your thoughts – taking notice of them without being distracted by them.
Many people incorporate meditation into their practice of yoga. The physical poses of yoga prepare your body to sit in stillness for meditation. Sitting isn’t necessary, though. You can also meditate lying down.
There is no single, correct way to meditate. You may already do it, but without calling it meditation. Walking can be a meditation practice. Knitting, gardening, observing the birds out your window or any other activity that causes you to narrow your focus can be meditative.
Guided meditations can help you to focus your concentration and relax your body. Repeating a phrase or sound, focusing your gaze on one object–like a candle–or breathing slowly and intentionally are all different ways to focus concentration during meditation.
The benefits of meditation address many of the issues faced by people diagnosed with MS. A research study
published in 2011 that examined the effects of meditation on pain and quality of life in MS found that participants in the meditation group showed a significant improvement in pain scores and scores for overall physical health, mental health, vitality, and physical role.
tend to be small, however, and while they suggest a positive impact, the evidence is not always clear. More research is needed.
Dr. Alan Bowling’s review of the research on meditation and MS (Optimal Health with Multiple Sclerosis, 2014)
“Meditation is a well-tolerated, low-cost therapy that may provide medical benefits without the use of medication. Limited studies indicate that meditation may be helpful for relieving stress, anxiety, depression, fatigue, insomnia, pain and cognitive problems. It also may improve self-esteem and feelings of control. For general health, meditation may reduce blood pressure and improve blood glucose control.”