It’s hard these days to stay in the present, isn’t it? We’re so glued to our phones that we can’t step away for even a second. It might seem like a small thing, but not being able to stay in the moment can be tough especially when we’re stressed or anxious. That’s where meditation comes in – it can help you pay attention to the present moment, making you healthier both mentally and physically. Here are some cool things it can do.
1. Squashes Stress
Ever notice how easy it is to ignore stress until one day you’re a walking mess of it? It’s a sneaky health issue. If left unattended, it can mess up your sleep, make you overeat, and even make your hair fall out. Not to mention, it can mean trouble for your heart and stomach. But there’s a silver lining – meditation! It reduces the stress hormone, cortisol, which causes a lot of problems including body inflammation. If you feel stressed lately, try meditating – it’ll help you chill out a bit.
2. Manages Pain
Over 50 million folks in the US have chronic pain, showing just how tough daily life can be with around-the-clock discomfort. Given the issues with addictive painkillers, doctors are now recommending other ways to manage pain, like therapy, acupuncture, physical therapy, and yep, you guessed it, meditation. Some studies even found meditation might increase pain tolerance and ease lower back pain briefly. But remember to check with your doctor before you include it in your daily routine.
3. Fends off Depression
Depression can really bring you down, making it hard to enjoy life and see reasons to keep going. Meditation can help by fighting off stress and anxiety that often lead to depression. It helps you break out of negative thinking patterns and focus on the present.
4. Lowers Blood Pressure
Heart disease is a big problem globally, so it’s always a win if we can do something about our heart health! Keeping your blood pressure in check is fantastic for heart longevity. High blood pressure makes your heart work too hard and can cause your arteries to narrow, which could lead to a heart attack or stroke. Here too, meditating alongside eating healthily can be a game changer. They can bring relaxation, lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and even widen the arteries.
Why not give it a shot? With loads of online tutorials, it’s a breeze to kick-start your meditation journey. Your body and mind will thank you for it!
