Staying focused in the present can be tricky these days. With the first sign of boredom, we often jump to our phones. This might sound harmless, but when life gets stressful, being able to stay present can be a lifesaver. Meditation allows us to stay mindful, which is good for our mental and physical health.
Here are some great things meditation can do for you:
1. Lower Stress: Stress can be sneaky and harmful if not addressed. It can mess with your sleep and eating habits, thin your hair, and even cause heart and digestive issues. Meditation can be a game changer by reducing the harm stress does. How? Stress raises your cortisol levels, which can cause inflammation. Studies have found that mindfulness meditation helps by bringing our attention back to the right now, reducing stress-related inflammation. So, if you’ve been feeling stressed, give meditation a go.
2. Assist with Pain Management: Over 50 million Americans live with chronic pain. If you’re one of them, you understand the struggle in doing everyday tasks. More doctors are steering away from addictive opiate painkillers lately and looking into other methods like therapy, acupuncture, and physical therapy. Meditation is also getting people’s attention in managing pain. Research has shown that meditation can increase pain tolerance and offer relief for issues like lower back pain. But remember, always consult your doctor before trying new things for pain management.
3. Help with Depression: Depression can rob you of the joy in life. It can make it tough to find purpose when you can’t enjoy things anymore. Meditation can fight against the anxiety and stress that can lead to depression. These negative feelings often start with bad thoughts about yourself and the future. Mindfulness meditation helps by training your brain to refocus on the present when these thoughts pop up.
4. Lower Blood Pressure: Heart disease is a big cause of premature deaths worldwide. We could all do with paying more attention to our heart health. Lowering our blood pressure is one potent way to help. High blood pressure makes your heart pump faster and can lead to a heart attack or stroke over time. Once again, meditation comes to the rescue. Studies have shown that types of meditation like transcendental and mindfulness can help lower blood pressure by helping you relax and quiet your brain.
Starting meditation is easier than you might think. You can find free videos online that guide you. Soon, you’ll have all the information you need to begin reaping the benefits of this ancient practice. Give it a try!
