There are many possible misconceptions we may think of when trying to get healthy. Here are some common ones that many of us struggle with:

• Everyone should detox.
• Vegetables are always better for us when eaten raw.
• Sweating during a workout means we will lose more weight.
• Daily exercise means we can eat whatever we want without gaining weight.
• We must clear our mind in order to meditate.

The truth is that detox is not appropriate for everyone. Studies show that some people don’t need detox because they have medical issues adverse to a detoxing cleanse or are on a clean diet that eliminates the need.

Not all vegetables are good for us in a raw state. Raw cruciferous vegetables can suppress thyroid hormone production and should be cooked. Cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, mustard greens, radishes, rutabagas, and turnips.

Recent studies debunk the idea that sweating more contributes to more weight loss during a workout. Sweating is simply our body’s way of regulating temperature. Daily exercise is great for our fitness but the fact is that weight is about diet and if we consume more calories and fat than our body can burn, we gain weight.

The old idea that we must clear our minds to meditate is false. In fact, once we become disciplined, regular meditators, our minds naturally calm of constant thoughts. We can reach levels of deep relaxation, clarity, and understanding, which takes time and practice.

Most of us today are not only busy, we are highly stimulated with constant information from computers, phones, tablets, twenty-four-hour news cycles, social media, tweets, technology, stress from family obligations, jobs, and social events. For these reasons, beginning meditators need to be engaged and the amount of time for meditating should begin with just five minutes. Now, it would be ideal to practice five minutes every day, but for some, that is difficult. To begin a practice of five minutes three or four days a week will still have multiple benefits. Beginning meditations need to engage us visually, mentally, and audibly. A good meditation that provides this is a simple candle gaze.

With our eyes half closed, we gaze into a candle while listening to soothing music and repeating a mental mantra such as: “I am at peace” or “I am one with God.” Any mantra that is short and simple will do.

Guided meditations are also an excellent option to start with. There are countless free apps available just for this. Try to choose five-minute ones. Another meditation can be to lie down, listen to calming music, and focus only on breath moving in and out of the body. Do this for twenty breath cycles of inhale and exhale counting as one cycle. That’s all. This simple practice is relaxing and calming.

The benefits of meditation are many and far outweigh any reason not to make time for five minutes to relax and let go of worries, stress, and anxiety.

Still need convincing? Here is a list of some of the outcomes of a regular practice. Clarity, calmness, lower blood pressure, lower anxiety, connecting with our natural intuition, better overall health, learning to trust yourself, connecting with your source, lower cortisol levels, lower stress, and a better disposition.

Did you know that studies show that meditation boosts immune function, decreases pain, increases focus, improves brain function, and helps overall organ function? There are spiritual benefits too. Meditation helps us with our trust in the flow of life, faith, and our connection with God consciousness. Search the web, read articles, look for centers that offer meditation in your area. Five minutes of meditation a day will change your life. You can visit www.nitalapinski.com for free five-minute meditation downloads or buy a book for beginners. There are so many podcasts, blogs, apps, books, yoga, and spiritual centers available. Why wait? A calmer, happier, healthier you is waiting to be uncovered.