MEDITATION RISKS
The Purpose of Meditation
Meditation is a practice of training the mind to focus and redirect thoughts. It helps build one’s ability to become an observer of yourself. This overtime can improve your ability to respond to your thoughts and emotions, rather than react to them.
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Meditation also helps us develop a sense of presence. By paying attention to the present moment—whether through the breath, body, or sensations—we also begin to let go of the distractions and judgments that burden the mind.
Ultimately, meditation has been show to helps us to:
o cultivate better awareness, compassion, and connection to ourselves and others
o reduce stress and anxiety increase clarity and calmness in our daily lives
o respond to thoughts and emotions instead of reacting to them
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Cautions:
M​editation is NOT recommended for everyone, and you should talk to your healthcare provider before engaging in meditation.
This list is not exhaustive, but some individuals who should be cautious of mindfulness meditation include those with:
o Severe Depression (due to opportunity for deepened ruminating thoughts that may cause emotional distress)
o Dissociative disorders (due to increased sense of detachment from self)
o Certain types of anxiety or OCD (due to possible increase in ruminating thoughts)
o Grief (can heighten your awareness of feelings of sadness)
o Physical discomfort or health conditions (due to increased awareness of pain)
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What to do if you are feeling unpleasant or dysregulated during a meditation:
o End your meditation early for that day
o Focus on progressively relaxing your tense muscles
o Do a grounding practice (focus on your senses in the room in real time, such as what you hear, what you feel, etc.)
o If focusing on your breath feels overwhelming, shift to an external anchor, like listening to soothing sounds or focusing on an object in your environment.
o Walk around the room, stretch, or just move your body in a way that feels good and safe
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