The Body Scan Meditation is one of the most widely acknowledged forms of meditation. It is a great option for those who are new to meditation and are intimidated or unsure of where to start. A Body Scan Guided Meditation is very simple. All you need is a comfortable seated position in a calm area where you can focus and go inwards. The guided meditation will help you to focus on your breath, and will take you through each part of your body. This technique helps you to find areas of your body that are holding tension, and then acknowledging that tension and letting it go.
Like all forms of meditation the Body Scan Meditation has many benefits. One of its most prominent benefits is stress reduction and stress management. Practicing Body Scan Meditation helps to improve self awareness and be present in the here and now. In addition to helping reduce mental stress it can also help alleviate some of the physical symptoms that come along with chronic stress such as: muscle tension, chronic inflammation, digestive issues, tension headaches, and insomnia. This type of meditation is extremely beneficial when performed before bed as it helps to calm the central nervous system and prepare our bodies for sleep. One of the best things this meditation can teach you is how to be more in touch with yourself and how you are feeling. If you have been feeling stressed or have a pain that you do not understand try doing a simple Body Scan Meditation. This will help open you and be more aware of sensory experiences in order to find out why you are feeling a certain way.
In addition to helping us remain present and keep us in a more calm and relaxed state the Body Scan Meditation is good for those who struggle with chronic pain. This particular meditation helps us with self love and acceptance. It teaches us to be non-judgmental of our bodies and find gratitude in all that they can do. As discussed earlier, performing a Body Scan Meditation helps us locate areas in our body that have more pain or tension than the rest. When doing this, rather than being ashamed or frustrated with our bodies which can increase stress and thus inflammation, we approach our body with kindness and understanding.
