Staying focused on the “here and now” is way harder than it sounds. So often, we reach for our phones the second we get a moment free. While fussing far from the present may seem harmless, it can be a real problem when stress and anxiety peak. But, practicing meditation can help us regain our ability to soak up the moment, which boosts both mental and physical health.
So, why meditate, you ask? Here are a few solid reasons.
1. Reduced Stress
We often don’t pay enough attention to stress, even though it can wreak havoc on our physical state. It messes with our sleep, triggers eating sprees, and can even cause hair to thin out. If left unchecked, it can cause heart-related issues and stomach problems. Shooing away stress can completely turn our lives around!
Practicing meditation fights back against stress. Stress leads to increased cortisol levels in the body, a hormone that triggers many unwanted stress effects, including bodily inflammation. Mindfulness meditation, a technique that trains us to concentrate on the present, can mitigate stress-induced inflammation. So, if you’ve been feeling stressed, try meditating to minimize its consequences.
2. Better Pain Management
Living with constant, chronic pain is a reality for over 50 million Americans. If you’re amongst them, you know how tough it can be just to get by each day.
Lots of doctors are moving away from heavy-duty painkillers because of the fear of addiction. Now they look for other ways to help with pain, like cognitive-behavioral therapy, acupuncture, and physical therapy. And more recently, meditation is also getting its moment in the spotlight.
Some studies suggest meditation could help people deal better with short-term pain. Others found it might offer some relief for lower back pain. But before you jump in and start meditating for pain, chat to your doctor first.
3. Decreases Depression
Depression can be a real joy-killer, messing with the quality of life. It can make it so hard to enjoy the things you once loved or to find any joy in life.
Meditation can battle the stress and anxiety that often trigger depression. Stress and anxiety come from negative self-talk and the inability to see a better future. Mindfulness meditation helps to break these harmful thought chains by training the brain to focus on the now.
4. Lowers Blood Pressure
Heart disease is a common cause of premature deaths worldwide. We all stand to gain from better heart health.
One way to promote a healthier heart is to lower blood pressure. High blood pressure forces the heart to work too hard and could wear it out over time. It can also result in narrow arteries, leading to heart attacks or strokes.
Yet again, meditation, combined with a healthier diet, can help to lower blood pressure. Certain types of meditation can quieten the brain, leading to a relaxed state of mind. As a result, blood pressure goes down. Added benefits include less inflammation and wider arteries.
So, Why not Give it a Try?
There’s never been an easier time to try meditation. A quick online search will throw up plenty of videos showing you how to get started with meditation.
In Tags:
Benefits of Meditation, Mental Health, Physical Health
