Provided by Novant Health UVA Health System
Dr, Russell Hunter
Deep breath in. Hold it for a second. Deep breath out. Focus on how that calming breath makes you feel.
Better already? Getting started with mindfulness meditation is as easy as that, says Russell A. Hunter, Psy.D., a psychologist at Novant Health UVA Health System Northern Virginia Psychiatric Associates – Manassas.
The term “mindfulness” gets used a lot these days and in a lot of different contexts. In this case, we’re talking about simply taking a few seconds to disengage and focus on the moment to relax the mind and body and manage stress.
Hunter says we all can use mindfulness to celebrate getting through a tough year (so long, 2020!) and help us feel connected and content as we face new challenges in the coming year.
The American Heart Association first endorsed meditation in 2017 as a complement to traditional treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease. Studies have shown practicing mindfulness and meditation can lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety and depression, and improve sleep, which is important for cardiovascular and overall health.
Hunter shares his three ways to incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine.
Let’s take it outside
Spending just five minutes in nature each day can calm your stress hormones. So having a seat beside a tree, closing your eyes and focusing on breathing deeply in and out can change your outlook and calm your stress hormones.
Or try walking meditation: Focus on your footsteps first, and then take note of your surroundings – the color of the trees, the sound of birdsong, anything that you find enjoyable. Focusing on the positive is important for reaping the health benefits of this practice.
Think about it a minute
Can’t get outside? Try sitting quietly inside, breathing deeply and visualizing nature. Hunter said the mind often can’t tell the difference between imagination and reality, so you can still create physical changes in your body by visualizing something positive. Visualize one of your favorite places on Earth, like the mountains or the beach.
Make a connection
Humans need physical connection, which is difficult to achieve during a global pandemic. But you can connect and feel part of your larger community via meditation.
“We can re-create experiences of love and connection, even without physically being with another person, and the chemical changes are the same,” Hunter said. “When we practice this, we experience increased levels of serotonin, the happiness hormone; of oxytocin, the hug hormone; and decreased levels of cortisol and adrenaline the stress hormones.”
You can do it for a minute or five minutes.
- Sit in a comfortable chair, close your eyes and bring to mind someone who loves you and accepts you as you are.
- Imagine looking into their eyes and notice the feeling of being accepted and loved. Does it make you feel warm? Does your breathing start to slow? Experience that for a moment.
- Then practice sending that person well wishes: Be safe. Be happy. May you be healthy. May you live with peace and ease.
- Repeat for other individual loved ones, groups of loved ones, the people in your neighborhood, the front-line health care workers in your city, and so on. Feel the connection.
“There is now extensive research looking at people who do this practice and showing meaningful changes in their levels of anxiety, depression and even a sense of well-being, happiness and connection,” Hunter said.
“No matter the mindfulness practice you choose, it’s important to take the time for yourself,” he added. “When it all seems too much, practicing a little bit of mindfulness and appreciation for just one thing can feel like a victory.”
For more information on behavioral health services at Novant Health UVA Health System, visit NovantHealthUVA.org/behavioral-health.
