VeraVia Offers Tips for Those New to Meditation

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent event in London held by The Economist addressed the "global crisis of depression," calling it "one of the most significant health problems facing the world in the 21st Century." ¹ Wyatt Chapman, founder and CEO of VeraVia, a San Diego-based health retreat, offers a solution in the form of an age-old practice: meditation.

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"In addition to easing depression and anxiety, regular meditation can lead to additional benefits like reducing your stress level, making it easier to focus, and providing greater clarity for problem-solving," says Chapman.

Here are VeraVia's suggestions to begin and maintain a regular meditation practice.

Tip 1: Set reasonable expectations

"If you're not used to frequent meditation it's best not to bite off more than you can chew. Start with a simple 5-minute meditation per day," explains Chapman. "You don't need a dedicated room or secluded dojo to practice meditation. All you need is a quiet place where you won't be interrupted–in your easy chair after the kids have gone to bed, behind the closed door of your office during lunch, in bed before falling asleep at night, or even in your parked car before going in to work. Simply set a timer for your meditation and remember to use a gentle alarm sound."

Tip 2: Set a goal before beginning a meditation session

Those who are new to meditation might be unsure what to expect. Setting an intention for meditation keeps one's energy focused during the session and is also an incentive for the conscious mind to uphold the practice.

For those new to meditation, Chapman suggests closing the eyes and deepening the breath, then mentally asking a specific question or focusing in on a specific area of life in which the meditator seeks more clarity or understanding. "The unconscious mind stores wisdom, information, and inspiration, which you can use your meditation practice to gain a greater understanding of a particular issue. This approach to problem-solving is not uncommon; many CEOs use meditation to gain greater insight into business challenges or to brainstorm creative solutions," explains Chapman.

Tip 3: Be persistent

"Taking the time to concentrate solely on your thoughts and feelings is something that many of us spend lots of time and energy trying to avoid," says Chapman. He suggests setting reasonable, small-scale goals such as "Meditate for 5 minutes every day for a week" then extending one's meditation schedule and increasing the length of time per day spent in meditation. Chapman explains, "By keeping each goal within a reasonable scope, rather than attempting sweeping changes to your lifestyle, you're more likely to keep up your new meditation practice."

Sources:

1. http://www.economistinsights.com/healthcare/event/global-crisis-depression

About VeraVia
Founded in 2013 and based in the San Diego area, VeraVia is an all-inclusive luxury health and wellness retreat offering an innovative program designed to create lasting behavior and lifestyle changes. Please visit their website at http://veraviafit.com/

Media Contact:
Melissa Chapman
VeraVia
Phone: 800.527.1936
[email protected]

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SOURCE VeraVia