We are addicted to our thoughts. We cannot change anything if we cannot change our thinking. ~ Santosh Kalwar
Meditation has numerous benefits and has been deemed suitable by practitioners for curing many ailments. Millions of dollars has been spent on this very subject and much research is still ongoing to show exactly what benefits meditation can provide. Here are 5 benefits we know for sure.
1. Meditation acts as a stress reliever
Meditation works wonders for stress levels and helps quieten the mind of unnecessary chatter. Our minds seem to be constantly on the go; have you noticed how some nights it is hard to rid yourself of all that incessant noise? Meditation is very effective for clearing away the negativity and allowing your body to relax, while at the same time, reducing those anxiety levels. By concentrating on your breathing you are able to let go of all that internal stress that you are bottling inside, relaxing both the body and the mind.
2. Meditation gives you perspective
As your mind relaxes, you start to release those powerful emotions that might be holding you back. This release will help you gain clarity and enable you to see things from a new perspective rather than from an overly emotional viewpoint. It will give you the ability to see things from another angle that you may not have considered due to all the other issues affecting your decision making abilities. Often we make decisions based on the belief that our decision is the best choice. As soon as we acknowledge that our decision is not the only choice, then we open ourselves up to a multitude of possibilities.
3. Meditation makes you more focused
Meditation is strongly linked to improved concentration and attention to detail. A stronger focus will help you retain information longer and allow you to complete tasks quicker. Rather than allowing your attention to be taken away from what you are doing at present, you learn to do one task completely without distraction before moving on to another. Studies have also shown an increase in memory after regular meditation sessions.
4. Meditation boosts your immune function
Meditation is a great way to boost your overall health. As relaxation is linked to boosting your immunity, meditation works on the same level. As relaxation increases, blood vessels open up lowering blood pressure and boosting antibodies. A positive mental state will allow your immune system to thrive.
5. Meditation makes you happy
Bills, work, family squabbles, disappointments – the list is long – and they can all affect your ability to be happy. Meditation has the ability to boost those feel good chemicals working inside you, ensuring you focus more on the positive aspects of your life rather than the negative. Studies have shown that those who meditate have more activity in their prefrontal cortex, the area linked to positivity. Not that you really need a study to tell you. Try it for yourself and watch those mood enhancing elements at work.
Regular meditation will allow all these benefits to take root and grow in your life. If you want to be happy, healthy, more focussed, less stressed and open to opportunities as they are presented to you, then meditation is the quickest route to do just that. Now it’s just a matter of finding the time to do it!