Meditation has emotional, physical, and spiritual benefits. The benefits have been studied for several years. Philosophers, religious leaders, scientists, and spiritualists have all explained the power of self-awareness; it has been referred to as being present, deep reflection, contemplation, relaxing, or prayer.
As people continue to discover the benefits of meditation, its popularity is also increasing. Meditation is defined as the process of training the mind to focus and redirect the thoughts. You can use meditation to increase self-awareness and the surrounding. This article will discuss the benefits of meditation
Reduces stress
Most people practice meditation to help reduce stress. Usually, physical and mental stress increases the level of cortisol hormone. The hormone produces harmful effects like releasing chemicals that promote inflammation. The effects promote anxiety and depression, disrupt sleep, and contribute to fatigue.
Controls anxiety
Reduced stress leads to reduced anxiety. The symptoms of anxiety conditions also reduce, like social anxiety, phobias, fear of social events, paranoid thoughts, and panic attacks when you practice meditation correctly.
Yoga also helps participants to reduce the level of anxiety. This is linked to the meditative practice and physical activities. Meditation also helps to control the anxiety that is related to work pressure.
Self-awareness
Meditation practices can help individuals to develop a better understanding of themselves. Self-inquiry meditation helps individuals to develop a better understanding of who they are and how they can relate with others. Other meditation practices can help you to recognize the thoughts that are self-defeating or harmful. As you gain the awareness of the harmful thoughts, you can steer them to positive thoughts. Knowing yourself better is a starting point to make other positive changes.
Reduces age-related memory loss
Meditation practices improve the clarity and attention of thinking which helps to keep the mind strong and young. Kirtan Kriya is a type of meditation that uses chant or mantra with motions that are repetitive to focus the thoughts. The practice improves the ability to carry out memory activities in various studies of memory loss.
Helps to fight addictions
Through meditation, you can develop mental discipline which helps to increase awareness and self-control of the addictive behaviours. Studies have shown that meditation practices help the participants to learn how to redirect their attention, control emotions, and increase understanding of the causes of addictive behaviours. You can easily control food cravings through meditation practices.
Meditation promotes emotional health
Some types of meditation lead to a positive outlook and improved self-image on life. According to research, mindfulness meditation practice showed reduced depression in about 4600 people.
The inflammation chemicals that are released due to stress, they are known as cytokines. The chemicals can affect moods and lead to depression.
How to meditate
The meditation exercise is essential in meditation techniques.
Set the timer for about 5 minutes.
Lie down or sit comfortably, you can use a meditation cushion or chair.
Close the eyes using eye masks if you are going to lie down.
Breath out naturally, don’t control the breath.
Don’t think about anything. Focus the attention on how the body moves and the breath as you breathe in and out.
Monitor the body movement as you breathe in and out. Observe the shoulders, chest, belly, and rib cage. Focus on the breath without regulating its intensity or pace.
If your thoughts wander, put the focus back on the breath.
Meditate for about five minutes as a start, and then meditate longer as time goes.
Meditation helps people to improve their spiritual, emotional, and mental health. There are various types of meditation with different benefits and strengths. You can practice meditation systematically; eventually, you will be able to focus your mind and thoughts from the delusions that affect our lives.
About the writer
Sally Kirchell lives in Rosalie, Brisbane and helps run an online art business with 2 sites called Beyond a Word Art and Blue Horizon Prints, she is a mother of 2 lively children, a parent to 3 dogs, a keen writer, traveller and photographer and women that needs a holiday with lots of margaritas after juggling all these things.