Many people are under the impression that meditation is only for Buddhist monks or hippy-dippy yogis. But if you follow the science, you will see that meditation has several mental and physical health benefits. No matter who you are, you can achieve a calmer and more balanced life with the help of meditative techniques.
Reasons Why You Should Start Meditating
Meditative techniques are practiced in cultures and religions all over the world. There are different types of meditation, such as concentrative meditation and mindfulness meditation. Meditative practices have a wide range of positive effects on health and well-being, including:
Improved Emotional Health
Those who engage in habitual meditation report having a more positive outlook on life. They are not plagued with worry and negative thoughts. They tend to have an improved self-image and decreased instances of depression.
Stress Reduction
You focus your attention on one object or clear your mind of jumbled thoughts during meditation. The goal is to reach a deep state of tranquility and relaxation. One study concluded that stress was reduced by fourteen percent in a ten-day period of practicing meditation. Mindfulness meditation techniques that focus on being present in the moment are effective for stress relief.
Decreased Anxiety
Several studies have been conducted to determine the effects meditation has on anxiety. Many of these studies have concluded that mindfulness meditation reduces the symptoms of anxiety. If you battle generalized anxiety disorder, meditation and positive self-statements can help reduce your anxiety levels.
Increased Pain Tolerance
Many people who suffer from chronic pain find relief with meditative practices. The perception of pain is minimized when stress is decreased through meditation. If you suffer from chronic pain, this practice can help reduce your discomfort.
Improved Sleep Patterns
Stress, anxiety, and pain all negatively affect our ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. You may find it is impossible to fall asleep at night as thoughts race through your mind. Meditative techniques can help you relax and control those thoughts that are keeping you up at night. Meditation will help you release tension and reach a peaceful state that makes it easier to fall asleep.
Boosts Attention Span and Memory
Your brain is a muscle that needs to be exercised. Some forms of meditation are like a workout for your brain that helps boost the strength and endurance of your attention. This improved focus also promotes mental clarity and memory. Meditation may help fight dementia and memory loss as we age.
Promotes Kindness
Metta is a type of meditation that helps to increase positive feelings towards yourself and other people. It is known as loving-kindness meditation, and it helps develop kind thoughts and feelings. This practice helps to improve interpersonal interactions and build an understanding of others. Metta helps to increase:
- Empathy
- Positive thoughts and feelings
- Compassion for others
Helps with Mental Discipline
Are you suffering from addiction? Whether you struggle to control food cravings or alcohol use, meditation can help. It can help to redirect your attention and manage impulses. The mental awareness needed to manage triggers for your unwanted behaviors or impulses can be achieved with meditation.
One Final Thought
As you can see, there are numerous benefits and reasons to start meditating. In this Covid-19 era, there has been a drastic increase in depression, suicide, alcohol and drug addiction, and domestic violence. Perhaps if we spread the word about the positive effects of meditation, we can help bring these statistics down. By minimizing stress and increasing positive thoughts, we can all learn to be a little gentler with ourselves and one another.
Please contact our office if you need help with your meditation center today!