A Veteran's Guide To Meditation

A Veteran's Guide To Meditation

When you think of meditating what do you see? A yoga class? Maybe a monk trying to achieve enlightenment?

In a world with so many distractions, it is harder and harder to remain present.

How many of you sit on the sofa with your loved ones on your phones all night?

How many of you zone out in meetings at work or text away when you are supposed to be listening to your friend?

Meditation goes far beyond yoga classes and monks sitting in a monastery. It is a practice that helps you to be present, to focus on one thing. In a world full of noise, meditation can be your biggest friend.

Let's explore some of the benefits to meditation

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Boosts Productivity

How many of you have so much work to do, that you think your head is about to fall off?

We all have distracting thoughts through out the day.

Maybe it's your email box notifications, the news or social media. It can be hard to focus at the task in hand.

So if that assignment is due or you have a project that you need to get over the line.

Meditation teaches you to recognize your thoughts and distractions and park them for a later date, so you can concentrate on the task at hand.

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Improves Memory

Meditation is shown to increase the size of our Hippocampus.

The Hippocampus is the HQ of our memory!

Imagine not forgetting your partners birthday! What a blissful life that would be.

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Reduces Anger

I am sure we all could do with this.

Meditation can combat fear and reduce cortisol (stress hormone). These are the two main instigators of anger.

Imagine being able to give a controlled response to a misunderstanding rather than an ego out burst that leaves you embarrassed and upset. Meditation allows you to be more focused and controlled.

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How To Meditate

Some of you will have the misconception that you need to be surrounded by candles , in the lotus position, making "hoooom" noises.

This is how I do it:

  1. Find a quiet space so you can be alone.
  2. Sit down/lay down in a comfortable position
  3. Focus on your breathing, in and out
  4. Accept and acknowledge thoughts, park them for later and refocus on your breathing.
  5. Do this for 5 minutes and then work your way up.

There are also many awesome apps you can download that will guide you through a meditation session.

The takeaway point..

There will be those of you that think meditating is a waste of time and your ego will get in your way.

You will be surprised how you feel after doing even 5 minutes.

Being present and a good listener is a hard skill to learn.

Give it a try, what have you got to lose?

Matthew Sheerin

Founder of - After the Military - working with Forces leavers, veterans and families - to find fulfilling new careers

2 年

The fact I'm on LI at 8pm reading this article proves your point Carl Simpson

Edward Owen-Burge

???? Nature focused facilitator | Helping you find the solution to your most important problem in days... not months | Former intelligence officer | Born at 347ppm

2 年

I tell people this all the time. Meditation is force mutliplier. All those times after an exercise, or firefight, or contact, or something else leaving you drained and exhuasted - and you look around at the soldiers just sitting there staring into the middle distance... that's a form of meditation.

Chris Bright

Electrical Systems Specialist.

2 年

I recommend meditating on Bible verses.

Grant Chamberlain

Veteran | Workshop Manager | Electrician | Passionate about keeping people safe at work| Learning new skills everyday

2 年

Been using meditation to help my lack of sleep and migraines for 10years plus now and it's works for me. But as soon as you mention it in veteran circles, well I'll leave to your imagination as to the comments ?? but hey that's the military for you. That said I've helped 2 guys who contacted me privately to get into it. Give it ago, what have you got to lose?

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Alex Povey

Sales Development Manager at Hoxo Media - Branding specialists for the recruitment sector

2 年

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