Live Whole Health #103 – Loving Kindness

Happy, healthy, safe, peaceful. This is the kind of life we want for ourselves and those we love. As you head into a new year consider bringing the Loving Kindness Meditation into your life as a regular practice. It is a simple and powerful way to create more positive feelings in your life.

This very simple practice has been the subject of many studies, and the outcomes are surprising. Studies have shown that the practice increases social connection and decreases chronic pain, anger and emotional distress. One study found that a 12-week Loving Kindness Meditation course significantly reduced depression and PTSD symptoms among veterans diagnosed with PTSD.

It’s hard to imagine how such a simple practice can make that much of a difference; but you may wish to give it a try as you head into the new year. You can practice this any time of day; all you need is a quiet room for seven minutes. Make it a daily practice for a month and test it out! We all need more happiness, health, safety and peace going into 2022!

Mindful awareness is at the heart of Whole Health. Mindful awareness helps you to be aware of thoughts and feelings; yet you don’t focus on them. Instead, mindful awareness helps you focus on the present and what is most important to you. Visit the Whole Health website for more recordings and mindful awareness practices you can try. Visit Mindful Awareness – Whole Health (va.gov).

Andrea Young is a Field Implementation Team Consultant and Communications Specialist with the Office of Patient Centered Care & Cultural Transformation