Is Meditation Really a Good Stress Reliever?

Everywhere you turn you are confronted with stressful situations. From the workplace to home, there is so much going on and little time to accomplish all that you’ve set out to do. This is an unfortunate way of life for anyone living in the 21^st century and although you’d think technology would make life easier, sometimes it just adds to the stress we are already under. Many advocates of luxury meditation retreat byron bay believe that this is the best, and healthiest, way to reduce levels of stress we suffer from. But, is meditation really a good stress reliever? Let’s look at what mental and health professionals are saying.

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A Few Statistics from the American Psychological Association

First, it helps to look at a few recent statistics from the American Psychological Association. In a survey dated a few years ago, the APA reported that at least 44 percent of all adults in America state they are suffering from moderate to high levels of stress. Children are also suffering and at the best estimate, approximately 1/3 of today’s youth are not only suffering from stress but are experiencing health-related consequences as a result. Although it should be noted that this survey was taken at the height of the Great Recession, the biggest cause of stress in adults revolves around money issues. In order, the other leading causes of stress include:

• Work
• The economy
• Family responsibilities
• Personal relationships
• Concern over the state of one’s health
• Cost of housing
• Job stability
• Personal safety

As you can see, many of those will change in importance because the economy has leveled out once again. Perhaps recent mass shootings have placed personal safety several places higher on the causes for stress while the economy may not even factor in the top 10 worries leading to stress. Even so, how many of those can you personally relate to as major causes of stress in your life?

Meditation Is Gaining Ground as an Alternative to Pharmaceuticals

Oddly, one leading cause of stress is not even mentioned on the above list from the APA! Drug addiction is at an all-time high and much of that is because Americans are becoming addicted to drugs like benzos and pain medications prescribed as a direct result of stress in daily life. One innovative mentor and renowned author and public speaker, Ilchi Lee, is bringing the art of meditation to the world.

Having suffered from ADHD as a child, this Korean born motivational speaker and self-help activist has brought mediation to the United States at a time when it is most needed. His methods include a modified method of Eastern meditation that is aimed at enriching lives through helping others become more in tune to what their bodies and minds are telling them. He believes that we can learn to reprogram ourselves to be less susceptible to stress and more aware of that quiet, center place from which peace emanates.

If you are unable to attend sessions at his Sedona Mago Retreat, do subscribe to his YouTube channel or pick up one of his many books. See for yourself just how powerful meditation is as a natural remedy to the stresses we all face.