Why Meditate?

Meditation is a simple, money-free way of relaxing and calming your mind and body. Who doesn’t love trying new ways to relieve stress, especially when it doesn’t cost a penny?  Meditation’s lineage goes all the way back to ancient India, in the early stages of Vedic teachings around 5,000 BCE. There are different ways to practice meditation, and there are also many books that teach healthy mindfulness. Without further ado let’s get into it, here are 5 proven benefits of meditation:

1. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Healthy (NCCIH) did a study in which they found meditation can reduce sensations of a painful nature without the use of natural opiates in the brain. Their research also indicates that practicing meditation can treat and offer long term remedies for headaches and osteoarthritis.

2. Mindful meditation can also be used as a way to improve one’s professionalism by improving the brain’s problem solving & decision making skills. In order for professionals to achieve the success they desire, meditation will need to be practiced as a daily routine.

3. A study has shown that meditation increases attention when our mind enters a “flow” state, a state of mind where we are completely at peace and harmony. People who practice mindful meditation habitually were found to have a heightened concentration and attention span, and people who do not mediate as frequently still showed signs of more focus.

4. Practices in meditation can also boost the lymphocyte counts in the body which helps in creating a natural shield to fight against cells that can produce fatal diseases along with lowering the risk of cancer. Not only that but meditation can help build a resistance against of illnesses and other infections.

5. Meditation can reduce stress, anxiety, depression and other mood disorders. Studies based on individuals who experience mild and major depressive episodes have shown reduced symptoms once meditation was introduced on a regular basis. Meditation can also regulate unreasonable emotional instability and reduce stress hormones thus making one more self aware and alert.