The top 6 benefits of Meditation

30 Jun The top 6 benefits of Meditation

Mental health; maintaining a calm peace of mind through meditation. The connection between the science of the mind and meditation.

Meditation has been utilized for centuries for its ability to soothe many mental ailments and to get a person back to a calm state of mind. Even as developments in science continue to reveal new treatments for mental health, meditation remains at the top of the list. Science itself has begun to validate the notion that meditation can have real, quantifiable benefits for people who are in the throes of various forms of mental afflictions. Best of all, it’s a completely natural way to improve your mental health, devoid of medication or lifestyle change.

So, what exactly is meditation?

In a sense, meditation is a way to transform your mind. While the definition is fairly abstract, the goal is clear: the object is to use your breathing and awareness to create a state of “mindfulness” in which you only focus on what you’re confronting in the moment, and you don’t overthink anything. In taking this real-life, black-and-white approach to your life, you’re able to more clearly determine what matters, and approach situations—even tense ones—more rationally than you would otherwise. Breathing is a big part of meditation, as it is key to slowing your heart rate and letting your body get to a physical resting place.

Benefits of meditation:

• Increases alpha waves in your brain – Alpha waves are brain waves associated with increased creativity and reduced depression, and it’s scientifically proven that meditation can increase their regular occurrence in a person’s brain. These waves are present during activities such as daydreaming and exercise, but can be particularly harnessed during a mindful meditation session.
• Improves your focus – Taking the time to gain mindfulness is key to achieving a greater level of focus in your daily life.
• Increases memory retention and recall ability – Research shows that meditation can actually increase a person’s cortical thickness, and area of the brain related to introspection and retention.
• It gives you wisdom beyond your years – In today’s world, we rarely take the time to stop and smell the roses. Meditation gives us a chance to hit the reset button and examine where we came from and where we’re headed.
• It’s been scientifically shown to reduce anxiety and depression – The two go hand in hand, and while they can certainly be treated in many different ways, meditation may be a good place to start. An increased sense of mindfulness can not only help the woes weighing on one’s mind dissipate, but it can lead to releases of dopamine and serotonin that can heighten a person’s mood.
• Can reduce the symptoms of ADHD, and help a person’s long-term focus ability.

The greatest part about meditation? There’s no wrong way to do it. Sure, you can certainly make it an event where you roll out your yoga mat, head to some silent section of your house, and tune out for an hour or more. But you might find that your preferred method of meditation is a solo sunset walk around the neighborhood. Whatever you choose, the key is to remove distractions—yes, that means you have to leave your iPhone at home. In order to achieve mindfulness, this is key.

Think you’re ready to give it a shot? Shut your computer now, close your eyes, and let yourself simultaneously tune everything out, while being in tune with all that surrounds you and all that’s inside of you.

Meditation’s a beautiful thing.