Have you ever wondered why meditation has gained so much popularity in the western world? Some say it’s just another fad and this kind of attitude is understandable since turning inwards isn’t always the easiest of tasks. Still, the benefits of meditation for the mind and body are undeniable for those who manage to feel the om instead of just hum it. And while most of the advantages are already widely recognized, reminding ourselves of them occasionally can only help provide that extra nudge of always needed motivation. With that said, let’s look at what you can gain if you stay persistent in your efforts to sync your mind with the universe’s vibrations.
Leads to increased self-awareness
Self-awareness implies understanding your character, emotions, and individuality and being able to anticipate and thus control your actions and reactions. Without it, this planet would be a much more complicated and harsher place. Luckily, with different meditation techniques and approaches, you can get to know yourself better, in whichever aspect you want or need. This will allow you to work on yourself and improve the parts you are not satisfied with, and there are not many things as powerful as that.
Helps you cope with stress and keeps anxiety under control
While meditation probably won’t entirely remove stress from your life, it most certainly will help you manage and cope with it more effectively. And this is not just some urban legend! When you are under a lot of pressure, your body produces more cortisol – a hormone responsible for many ailments, from insomnia to depression and everything in between. The good news is, science has proved that meditation can do wonders when it comes to lowering cortisol levels and all the adverse effects that accompany them.
This means that by reaping the benefits of meditation for the mind and body, you can reduce, control, and even get rid of many stress-related symptoms and disorders. High blood pressure, anxiety, and many other diseases that have become scarily common due to our lifestyles can all become a thing of the past with a few minutes or daily reflection.
Maintains a healthy circadian rhythm
Among other relaxation techniques and ways to unwind, meditation is one of the most effective strategies you can use to take control of your circadian rhythm. Not only can this kind of mindful quiet time help you drift into dreamland when you need to, but it can also improve the duration and quality of your sleep. As a result, you will wake up rested and refreshed, prepared to gracefully tackle whatever life has in store for you that day.
The sole meditation process helps release built-up tension and replaces it with relaxation, which is very helpful at the end of a particularly tasking day. On the other hand, once you master the technique of observing the flow of your thoughts without trying to control them, you will be able to use it to summon sleep once your brain decides to shuffle through your top ten embarrassing moments when you just want to rest.
Targets emotional health
We eat broccoli and exercise to maintain our physical health. But what about our emotional health? You can probably guess by now – what fruits, vegetables, and weightlifting are for our bodies (and our minds), meditation can be for our emotions.
Those who regularly take the time to meditate can expect to profit in the form of a better mood, more control over their emotions, improved self-image and confidence, etc. Research shows that meditation can significantly lower the influx of negative thoughts, which are the primary triggers of most emotional struggles we often experience.
Again, much like with stress, you shouldn’t expect this spiritual practice to instantly heal you, but you sure can use it to heal yourself.
Enhances attention and concentration
Although meditation might seem like doing nothing, you are doing some serious cardio for your focus when practicing it. With that in mind, it is no wonder meditation is an excellent tool for increasing our attention span and bettering our ability to concentrate.
This stems from the fact that this ancient technique trains you to control your thoughts as opposed to them controlling you. When you learn this, it is instantly easier to apply it to other aspects of your life. So, whether you need to center your mind while studying or are struggling to stay alert at work, you’ll be happy to know that only a few minutes of meditation a day can help.
Rejuvenates the brain
Tying into the previous point, as you improve your ability to focus, you will also enhance your memory and clarity. Since these are the firsts to deteriorate as we step into the golden years, we could even say that meditation is capable of rejuvenating our minds. Kind of like Botox for the brain! This means you can postpone or even prevent age-related memory loss, dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other similar conditions with just a few minutes of mindful quiet time a day.
In conclusion
Most people are well aware of most of the benefits of meditation for the mind and body. However, unless you have experienced them personally, they can be a bit hard to believe, even with all the scientific proof. The fact that being present in the moment and at peace with it can be so powerful indeed sounds a bit surreal. Still, there is no machine as complex as the mind, so we should never underestimate what a bit of reflection and awareness can do.
Photo used: https://unsplash.com/photos/FuK9tVXBFoI