Tracing its roots as far back as 5,000-3,500 BCE, meditation continues to be a popular practice all across the globe — and with good reason, as meditation unlocks genuine tranquility within ourselves. Through mindfulness techniques and different breathing exercises, meditation leads us to a deep state of relaxation.
Through mindfulness techniques and different breathing exercises, meditation leads us to a deep state of relaxation.
However, meditation is more than just a way to unwind, as it boasts a myriad of health benefits, too. With this in mind, here are the top advantages of meditation that show you why you should start practicing it today.
Meditation Can Improve Your Mental Wellbeing
Meditation can play a powerful role in helping calm the storm for those struggling with mental health conditions. As we’ve previously shared as part of our ‘6 Tips for Beginning Your Meditation Practice’, dedicating just 12 minutes of each day to meditation can decrease anxiety levels and cultivate more joy in your life.
In fact, a Harvard University study found that meditation can help alleviate anxiety, as it increases the gray matter density in the hippocampus — the part of the brain where self-awareness is fostered. By practicing meditation, those dealing with anxiety will become more mindful of how they respond to their thoughts and can work on improving them.
Meditation Can Reduce Inflammation
Although inflammation is our immune system’s way of healing infections or injuries, a prolonged inflammatory response can result in serious health conditions like strokes, heart disease, and autoimmune disorders. Thankfully, inflammation can be detected and treated early. A helpful article on chronic inflammation by Parsley Health reveals that there are key symptoms you should watch out for. These include joint pain and muscle aches, skin rashes, excessive mucus production, low energy, and digestive problems. These are warning signs you can be mindful of and try to avoid.
Aside from regular check-ups, meditation can be a powerful tool for fighting inflammation. It helps us become more focused and attentive, especially to these signs of inflammation. Plus, our body loses its ability to properly regulate inflammation when we feel overwhelmed or agitated, which is why meditating is a great way to not only alleviate stress, but also control inflammation.
Meditation Can Boost Brain Health
While the art of meditation is widely known for tried-and-tested methods of relieving stress over a short period, practicing it regularly can do a world of good for your health in the long run as well. With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting that over 5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, it’s vital to protect your brain health as much as possible.
In this regard, a study published by the Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience reveals that meditation is highly beneficial for your brain’s long-term health. Researchers have discovered that meditation can fortify cognitive functions, such as attention, memory, and verbal fluency. What’s more, meditation can also be used as a preventative measure for cognitive decline for the elderly.
With these powerful benefits, the ancient art of meditation is a simple and meaningful practice you can do to help bring peace to your mind, body, and soul. So, what are you waiting for? Set aside some time for peace and quiet, and let meditation beautifully transform you.
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