One of the biggest inhibitors of a regular meditation practice is stimulants. Whether you realize it or not, most processed American diets are full of them. Natural and artificial. Sugar, corn syrup, cocoa are some of the easiest to identify. And once they are in the bloodstream they have a certain effect on the body that will have ramifications on your ability to meditate, and also your ability to sleep, concentrate and maintain a balanced perspective. The sad fact is, however, that there are many more stimulants and other additives that we American ingest that we don't even know are there. Why are our processed foods full of so many ingredients that can have an adverse effect on our health? Is it because stimulants are known to be addictive? Do we no longer find foods appetizing in their natural state? I don't know. And I certainly am not implying that anyone should ever feel guilty about eating something that they enjoy. I am merely suggesting that we cultivate a certain level of awareness about what it is that we are ingesting and the consequences on the mind/body complex.
These are some things that may be helpful to keep in mind as you are taking your first steps in developing a daily meditation routine:
* Avoid trying to meditate on a full stomach.
* Keep your system hydrated with plenty of pure (filtered, if possible) water.
* Eat nutrient dense foods as close to their natural state as possible (ie. an actual piece of organic fruit instead of a fruit roll-up).
* If you are addicted to stimulants, try not to ingest them right before going to bed or before sitting down to meditate.
* When it comes to nutrition, keep it simple. If you don't recognize an ingredient in a product, don't eat it.
If you'd like to learn more about stimulants and other additives, what they are, where they can be found and their impact on our health, I've pasted some links below that you might find beneficial.
Shanti,
S.
Stimulants in Supplements: New Dangers Found in the Drugstore
Stimulants in Chocolate that are Not Caffeine
Potential Dangers of Artificial Dyes
Food Additives
These are some things that may be helpful to keep in mind as you are taking your first steps in developing a daily meditation routine:
* Avoid trying to meditate on a full stomach.
* Keep your system hydrated with plenty of pure (filtered, if possible) water.
* Eat nutrient dense foods as close to their natural state as possible (ie. an actual piece of organic fruit instead of a fruit roll-up).
* If you are addicted to stimulants, try not to ingest them right before going to bed or before sitting down to meditate.
* When it comes to nutrition, keep it simple. If you don't recognize an ingredient in a product, don't eat it.
If you'd like to learn more about stimulants and other additives, what they are, where they can be found and their impact on our health, I've pasted some links below that you might find beneficial.
Shanti,
S.
Stimulants in Supplements: New Dangers Found in the Drugstore
Stimulants in Chocolate that are Not Caffeine
Potential Dangers of Artificial Dyes
Food Additives
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