It’s no secret that meditation has officially gone mainstream. Taking time for yourself each day is a crucial part of maintaining a healthy state of mind. Not only is meditation a great way to reduce feelings of stress, but it also eases mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. Through consistent practice of meditation, people can improve overall sleep, motivation, relieve physical pain and so much more.
Science behind meditating
Science is finally catching up with the knowledge that meditators have had for centuries – that our mental state affects the physical state of our body which in turn affects our psychological state. In other words, the mind and body aren’t separate — they function together. Brain changes that are caused by meditation improve overall health and mental function by interconnecting the “wandering mind” part of the brain with the higher level decision-making part. After only a few months of meditation, your brain activity will become stronger in the prefrontal areas that are associated with assessment.
Treats mental health conditions
Meditation has been proven to serve as an alternative medicine to treat numerous mental health conditions. Studies have found that practicing meditation on a regular basis has resulted in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Additionally, mood, attention, and quality of life in adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder has improved through the practice of meditation.
Chronic inflammation has been associated to a host of mental and physical health issues. Less inflammation in the brain and body will help prevent problems such as depression, Alzheimer’s disease, PTSD, cancer and heart disease. Meditation significantly reduces inflammation, allowing people to live an overall healthy life.
Benefits of different meditation styles
There are numerous ways to meditate, however, there are two that are more popular than the others. Aerial meditation allows you to relax your nervous system with pressure therapy as you sway gently above the ground, typically in a hammock. This can also be done in a ground pose as well. Secondly, sound meditation takes you into a more profound meditative state, usually to the sound of a gong, bowls or the meditator’s voice. Both techniques allow you to be mindful of your body and focus on your breath so you can reconnect to a place that focuses on positivity and peace.
Meditation encourages mindfulness
Taking time for yourself every day is important to maintaining a healthy state of mind. Mindfulness-based meditation techniques are effective in reducing the symptoms and relapse of depression and other mental conditions, also eliminating the use of antidepressant drugs. People who practice consistent mindfulness have a more rational perspective, seeing things simply as they are and not how they affect self-interests.
Hamid Jabbar is the meditation director at Current Meditation, the world’s first meditation franchise, takes a modern approach to the ancient practice, with a simple format that makes meditation and mindfulness accessible to more people than ever before.
