Have you heard of body scan meditation? Did you know that practising it could help you in better relaxation, among having other advantages? Read my blog post to see how much I benefited, since I started practising at home…
Disclaimer: My blog is to be used for general information, inspirational, and motivational purposes. I share things that I’ve learnt and experienced. In case of need, do seek help from a professional in the relevant field.
The body scan technique was a part of an eight-session mindfulness course that I took a few years ago (to help me meditate on my own at home). I’m not a mindfulness coach, but a self-improvement blogger who also shares self-care tips. In this blog post, I’ll highlight 6 benefits of body scan meditation that I experience, enjoy, and would like to share with my blog readers.
Here they are:
1. Mindfulness meditation
Mindfulness meditation includes body scanning and other techniques. Mindfulness helps you to live in the moment, and feel your very best, naturally. You recognize the simple joys of life and practice gratitude.
I’ve seen positive changes in my life after I started mindfulness meditation, including body scan. I not only feel better but also behave more mindfully towards other people. This includes being able to react thoughtfully and better understand, accept, and control my emotions.
2. Stress relief
With body scan, you lie down and relax, while meditating. It helps to relieve stress, cast aside any annoying thoughts that you may have, and feel serene. I make the most of it to ease out pressure and tensions.
3. Relaxes the mind
It helps to induce relaxation of the mind. As with meditation, in general, body scan helps to relax the brain and other parts of the body. I find it replenishing and recharging.
4. Soothes the body
I make the most of the sessions that I have at home, and on my own, to relax my body, removing any tensions that may have accumulated during the day. I ensure to especially soothe my shoulders and nape, releasing stiffness in the joints and muscles as I tend to use my phone and laptop much for blogging.
Do body scan meditation either in the morning, during the day, or else at bedtime, as per your convenience. Focus and find where you feel some pain. For example, if you’ve walked a lot during a particular day, you may find it helpful to relax your tired feet.
5. Proper sleep
I must say that incorporating this meditation as a part of my bedtime routine has helped me in having better sleep quality. Deep breathing also helps much to unwind after a hectic day. In the morning, I again like to practise breathing yoga.
6. Induces calmness
Body scan meditation brings a feeling of serenity. After a few minutes, I feel the calmness around me. My body feels light and pleasant, easing out any unpleasant and disturbing feelings.
Guided meditation
While at first, I needed instructions from the mindfulness coach through guided meditation, I now practice on my own. It’s a helpful and enjoyable experience to practice in groups. However, to save time, and especially with the COVID-19 lockdown in many countries (at the time of writing this blog post), what could be better than to learn the techniques and practice in the comfort of your own home?
Conclusion
To sum up, I have highlighted some key benefits of body scan meditation that I experience and enjoy. If you feel that you should give it a try and see for yourself, then that’s a great start! If you’re already practising body scan, then would you like to share your thoughts and experience? If you know someone who would benefit from reading my blog article, please share it. Thank you!!
Resources:
Tips from Sharvi 