Reduce Stress With Private Meditation Lessons
In 2018, a survey conducted by the Mental Health Foundation revealed that ‘74% of UK adults have felt so stressed at some point over the last year that they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope’. This alarming statistic needs addressing. Countless studies have found that meditation can improve a person’s mood and outlook. Does this mean that private meditation lessons will make all of your troubles disappear? Not in such simple terms. Could meditation play an integral part in a more holistic approach to your well-being? Certainly.
What Is Stress?
Stress is the body’s way of reacting to a perceived threat, challenge or barrier. Our experience of stress can be characterised by a state of worry and tension, often coupled with an elevated heart rate.
Physiologically, there are two hormones at play during stressful situations – adrenaline and cortisol. Acute stress caused by immediate danger, such as narrowly avoiding a car crash, prompts the release of adrenaline. The body enters ‘fight or flight’ mode, an evolutionary adaptation to increase your chances of survival in threatening situations. As the hormone bursts into your bloodstream, your heart races, your breath becomes short and you begin to sweat. Cortisol, the primary stress hormone, enhances your brain’s use of glucose and halts non-essential bodily functions in a fight or flight situation.
Your stress system is usually self-limiting, meaning hormone levels return to normal once the threat has passed, however, overuse or inappropriate activation of the fight or flight response can lead to long-term stress. Overexposure to cortisol can disrupt a wide range of your body’s processes and puts you at an increased risk of developing headaches, anxiety and even depression. It can also disrupt your sleep, cause weight gain or impair your memory.
Meditation isPrivate meditation lessons are a tried-and-tested method of stress reduction. If you have attempted meditation but found the process challenging, or you are looking for ways to lower your stress levels, Breathe® offers a solution. Our specialised and highly experienced teachers deliver bespoke meditation classes in person in London and worldwide online.
How Does Meditation Reduce Stress Levels?
Meditation is the practice of focusing your attention and awareness, which connects you to the ever-changing present moment. As you concentrate on your mental flow, you can explore your experiences and emotions in a safe and guided manner. Choosing to explore certain feelings and circumstances enables you to change the way you view your world. Your reactivity to stressors adapts as a consequence, reducing the frequency that your body typically enters fight or flight mode.
Private meditation lessons can be tailored to meet your needs. For those new to meditation, concentrating on breathing, or a single sound can help to focus the mind. Techniques are taught over a series of sessions and your resilience to stress will strengthen over time. Those with experience may need less primary input and more guidance towards stress management. Different types of meditation can be beneficial depending on your individual situation, such as your level of stress, how your stress manifests itself and how active your mind is.
Types Of Meditation
- Mindfulness Meditation – The practice of refocusing on the present moment every time your attention wanders until you are able to use your experience of meditation to be more present in your day-to-day life.
- Japa or Mantra Meditation – Discuss your mantra with your teacher and repeat it daily for a minimum of two 20-minute sessions. This is the perfect entry point for active brains or minds clouded by stress.
- Visualisation – Experience a guided journey whilst focusing on mental images of something or someone.
- Metta Bhavana Meditation – Direct positivity and goodwill to yourself and others.
Book Private Meditation Lessons With Breathe®
Before beginning your course of private meditation lessons, we’ll discuss your reasons for meditating and your goals. By determining whether your journey focuses solely on stress management, or incorporates other elements, such as improving sleep health, your Breathe® teacher will adapt your practice to help you achieve your goals.
For professional guidance and support in lowering your stress levels, call +44 20 8452 8322, or complete our online contact form. We look forward to helping you to live a relaxed and happy life.