Meditation is beneficial for you, from pain management to better sleep and beyond. Check out the benefits and learn how to start a meditation practice now.
The act of meditation is a polarizing hobby.
While some people love it and sing its praises, others think it’s a silly waste of time.
But we’re here to tell you that people in that first camp are correct! Scientific studies show that meditation not only calms your mind but can actually improve your overall health.
5 Ways Meditation Can Improve Your Life + How To Start
What’s more, meditation only takes as much time as you feel like devoting to it. And once you’ve done it, its effects can last all day.
Need a bit more information?
Then sit still, breathe deep, and learn the importance of meditation and how it can improve your life.
Meditation Lifts Your Mood
The act of meditation at Soma Byron Bay can be a quick and effective way to lift your mood.
If you’re having a bad day and your mood is less than stellar, meditation can take you out of that mindset.
When you meditate, you calmly enter a state of relaxation. It allows you to turn inward, blocking outside stressors, to focus on the here and now.
After meditating for as long as you need, be it five minutes or an hour, you will find you are feeling serene and ready to take on any issues you face.
Meditation Helps Your Brain
Cognitive studies show that long-term meditators have brains with “younger” gray matter in their twilight years.
So what exactly does this mean?
It shows that meditation practice can help your brain to defy the effects of aging, namely by:
- Improving your attention span and memory
- Maintaining your verbal fluency
- Preserving your overall cognitive flexibility
- Sparking more creative thought
Not bad for a simple, thoughtful daily mental exercise routine, huh?
Meditation Manages Chronic Pain
When you meditate, your focus is on something calm. And if you experience chronic pain, you know how challenging it can be to get your mind off of the pain.
But that’s precisely what meditation does.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, meditation lulls you into a state of relaxation while also releasing pain-relieving endorphins.
It can be a one-two punch in your pain management therapy, increasing your endorphins to eradicate pain and eliminating stress to keep it at bay.
Meditation Reduces Serious Health Conditions
Along with helping practitioners reduce their pain and anxiety, meditation can help tackle other health issues.
Holistic doctors often recommend meditation as a prevention strategy for their patients who suffer from serious diseases.
This is because meditation promotes mindfulness, a mental state that allows you to focus on yourself and your well-being.
Think of all the chronic stress-related diseases:
- cardiovascular disease
- irritable bowel syndrome
- depression
- obesity
Meditation can aid in your ability to be more mindful, reduce your stress, and increase your overall well-being.
It’s undeniable that certain diseases need prescription medication. Yet, meditation can give you something modern medicine cannot — a sense of peace and purpose.
Meditation Invites Better Sleep
By now, it’s probably no surprise to you that better sleep is on the list.
It helps you relax, direct your thoughts inward, and eliminate the noise around you.
If you find yourself struggling to fall asleep and stay asleep at night, it’s probably due to mental static. You’re thinking about your day and how to make tomorrow better. Before you know it, hours have passed, and you still can’t get your mind to settle down.
But if you add meditation to your pre-bedtime ritual, you can shut off the static before you even hit the sheets. As a result, your mind and body will enjoy a state of relaxation that will make great sleep possible and consistent.
Meditation Tips for Beginners
Now that you know how much meditation can improve your life want to give it a try?
It’s natural not to know where to begin, so we have some helpful starter tips for you. Though there are dozens of meditation types, we’re simply going to talk about classic mindfulness meditation.
Find a Calming Place
First and foremost, you must find a place to meditate that feels relaxed and welcoming. This may be your bedroom, living room, bathtub. No matter which location you choose, make sure it is quiet and that you are alone.
(Once you have lots of meditation practice under your belt, you’ll be able to meditate just about anywhere. Even your office at work or your car when stuck in rush hour traffic.)
Pick an Ideal Time of Day
Next, you’ll want to choose a suitable time of day to meditate. Make sure it’s a time that works for you daily, as this will help ensure you schedule your new mediation habit and stick with it.
For many people, meditating with their morning coffee or before bed is best since they can pair it with other habitual practices.
Clear Your Mind and Breathe
It’s meditation time, and you’re in your designated space.
The next step is to clear your mind and take a few deep breaths.
(Most meditators close their eyes to reduce the chances of encountering a distraction, but this is optional.)
After a couple of minutes of breathing deeply, your mind and body should be in a state of relaxation. At this point, slow your breathing pace down to its natural level.
Focus on your breath entering and exiting your body.
If you find your mind has wandered and you’re suddenly thinking about an external issue, turn your focus back on your breathing.
The more you practice, the longer you will sustain distraction-free meditation sessions that help your mind and body feel connected.
Conclusion
After reading these meditation tidbits, you may realize what an excellent habit meditating is. It can make you feel better in your mind, body, and soul.
And, as a bonus, it’s low maintenance. All you have to do is find a quiet location, shut your eyes, and focus on your breathing.
No matter how much time you devote to meditation, you’ll reap the benefits just about instantly!