science-based benefits of meditation

Three Science-Based Benefits Of Daily Meditation

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The world is as magical as it’s ever been! Sure, the innovations we’re taking advantage of were created with the help of the latest gadgets and gizmos, but any person from the 1950s would consider the present as a figment of their imagination—that’s how impressive the present is. Life is easier and more comfortable with the vast array of technological tools at your disposal!

Or is it?

benefits of daily meditation

Feeling Lost in the Digital Chaos

While none can deny the marvels and wonders that technology has helped bring to life, it has also presented several challenges unique to this day and age. As technology becomes more advanced, it gets more difficult to avoid it, much less have a day without needing it.

Have you ever thought of the last time you went through a day in the absence of your phone or any other screen? Unless you’re living completely off-grid or don’t rely on technology to work and perform various daily tasks, then chances are that you’re just like the majority of the world—trapped in a community heavily influenced by pixels.

It’s easy to be swept away by the hustle and bustle of the day. The next thing you know, you’re ending the day scrolling away, harboring feelings of stress. In times like this, it’s crucial to not only take care of your physical health but also your mental state.

Prioritizing Mental Health

The past few years have emphasized the importance of keeping your body strong, but one’s mental health has also been significantly impacted by the rapid changes brought by the pandemic. As such, you must take the necessary measure in protecting your inner peace to function properly and find happiness amidst disorder.

Society has become more open-minded, starting conversations that used to be difficult. From making period underwear more mainstream to sharing difficulties with mental illnesses, the world is slowly changing for the better!

However, even though more people are taking part in raising mental health awareness, many still find it challenging to look after themselves. With the responsibilities and hindrances all around, having a sound mind and body may seem impossible.

However, with meditation, you can tone down the noise of the outside world and regain the peace you’ve struggled to hold onto!

benefits of daily meditation

How Meditation Can Help

From an outsider’s point of view, meditation may not seem much—those who don’t know anything about it may have the image of a person sitting cross-legged, with their eyes closed, humming “Om…” over and over. Although not wrong, meditation is much more than that.

Rather than a waste of time, meditation is key to achieving optimal emotional wellness. Of course, it’s not easy to do the first few times, but once you get the hang of things, you can maintain your stress levels and experience relaxation by quieting the chatter in your mind.

For thousands of years, meditation has helped develop an awareness of the present moment. You can sharpen your focus through certain practices, begin to accept difficult emotions, and connect to the body and breath.

If you’re still doubting the benefits of meditating, these facts supported by science will convince you to try it:

  • Meditation Reduces Stress

Everyone is exposed to stressors, but they don’t have to overtake your life as long as you meditate. 

The results from Sara Lazar and her team’s study showed that eight weeks of  Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) increased cortical thickness in the hippocampus and other areas of the brain that are in charge of emotion regulation and self-referential processing.

Moreover, MSBR also caused the decrease in brain cell volume in the amygdala, the interactive center for motivation, emotions, and emotional behavior. As a result of these changes, stress levels were reduced. 

  • Meditation Promotes Emotional Health

Everyone leads different lives, has contrasting experiences, and comes from varying backgrounds. Depending on your circumstances, having a positive outlook in life is easier said than done. 

When you add the effects of the pandemic to the long list of hindrances to one’s mental well-being, a happy disposition seems like a fantasy. Well, with meditation, you can improve your self-image and perspective on life! 

According to a review of 18 studies, meditation therapies help reduce symptoms of depression. Some forms of meditation may also decrease levels of inflammatory cytokines, a type of signaling molecule that could contribute to depression. 

  • Meditation Improves Sleep

Good sleep gets harder and harder to come by. From the distractions on your phone to the thoughts disrupting your mind, waking up feeling fully rested may seem impossible. However, when you become skilled in meditation, you can avoid struggling with insomnia.

The results from one study comparing mindfulness-based meditations showed that meditating helped people stay asleep for longer than those with an unmedicated control condition.

science-based benefits of meditation

Final Thoughts

The mind is difficult to heal, much more than physical wounds. However, it isn’t impossible! Meditation has been incredibly beneficial in improving one’s mental health and life. With the right meditation practices, you can take control of your life and seek happiness once again!

About the Author

Mrytle Bautista is a journalism major, a social media marketer, and is now exploring freelance writing. She’s fond of anything related to health and wellness, and when she’s not writing, you’ll find her doing long-distance cycling, ultramarathons, hiking, or in a local cafe enjoying a good cold brew.

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