How Meditation Can Change Your Life
No one quite knows exactly when meditation became a thing, although there have been numerous studies for decades on its benefits for health and wellness. We do know, however, that meditating is an ancient practice with a history dating back thousands of years. Its popularity has been steadily growing, and, if you’re new to it or even slightly interested, you’ll want to read ahead and find out why meditation should be a priority in your life.
Some thoughts you might be having right now could be that meditation is boring, you don’t have the patience or time, it’s too hard to shut your mind off, etc. The truth is that consistent mindful meditation is easy to get the hang of, and once you do, its benefits will change your life permanently for the better. How?
You’ll find yourself in total control.
Meditation gives you the opportunity to control your nervous system, your thoughts and you can even get your emotions under control. When you’re mentally in control, you have a better handle on your physical health. Mental health is equally as important as physical, and meditation has healing benefits for both.
Your concentration and focus will improve.
A typical day for most of us has plenty of distractions; juggling work, family, relationships, to-do lists and that’s in between countless texts, keeping up with social media on our cells, laptops, and other electronic trinkets. It’s a necessity to have excellent multi-tasking skills these days, but that can be a struggle if you’re not grounded and focused. Meditation also increases energy levels, your attention and memory, so combining those benefits with focus and concentration will make your day run smoothly.
You’ll have less stress and anxiety.
Especially when you’re multi-tasking constantly, no matter how smoothly. We’ve all struggled or are struggling with these emotions. It’s common, unfortunately, and let’s remember that both can lead to physical health issues. Stress causes inflammation which can lead to problems like asthma, arthritis, and heart disease. Meditating gets the body into a state of deep relaxation, (yes, your muscles really do feel like they’ve melted!) and as you continue with deep breathing, your blood pressure lowers, too.
You’ll be emotionally balanced.
Meditation clears your mind of repeating patterns and behaviors that don’t serve you, and that does include the stress and anxiety. The more you practice meditation, the more these kinds of unhealthy burdens will be released. You’ll be able to shut out the unhealthy “mind chatter”, even outside of meditation, and your poor, overworked brain will get a much-needed break.
Several other benefits to note, and some may surprise you:
- Pain relief
- Overcoming addictions
- Self-awareness
- Happiness
- Enhanced creativity
- Mental and emotional intelligence
- PMS symptoms
- Positive relationships
- Restful sleep
- Weight-loss
Who doesn’t want all of that? It’s been proven, thanks to science and their volunteer studies, that practicing mindful meditation regularly is powerful, effective and indeed life-changing.
