Nowadays, it’s pretty tough for many of us to stay in the moment. Instead of chilling out when we’re not busy, we usually reach for our phones. While it might not seem like a big deal, it actually can be, especially during stressful times. This is where meditation comes in really handy. It helps us keep our focus firmly in the now which is good both for our mind and body.
So, let’s check out some of the main benefits of meditation.
1. It Eases Stress
Stress – it’s something we tend to ignore in our daily lives. But seriously, it can cause a lot of health problems if not addressed. It can mess with our sleep, eating habits, and even result in hair loss. It can cause other serious health issues like heart problems or stomach issues. That’s why lowering stress levels can be a real game-changer.
Meditation is great for this. It helps reduce the negative effects of stress, such as inflammation, by lowering the body’s cortisol (stress hormone) levels. Mindfulness meditation is especially effective for this because it focuses our attention on the here and now. So, if stress has been bugging you lately, consider giving meditation a shot.
2. It Can Help Manage Pain
Over 50 million people in the United States are dealing with chronic pain. Everyday tasks can become a big challenge for them. Nowadays, doctors are moving towards alternative methods to manage pain, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, acupuncture, and physical therapy. Meditation is also starting to get recognition as a great tool for managing pain.
There are studies which found that meditation can help increase tolerance to acute, short-term pain and even provide relief for lower back pain. But before adding meditation to your pain management routine, you should definitely talk to your doctor first.
3. It Can Reduce Depression
Depression can dramatically affect people’s lives and makes it tougher for them to find joy in things they used to love. Meditation can help battle anxiety and stress, both of which can lead to bouts of depression. By focusing our thoughts on the present, mindfulness meditation can disrupt negative thought patterns.
4. It Lowers Blood Pressure
Heart disease is a major cause of premature death worldwide. It’s crucial that we all take more care of our heart health.
Lowering our blood pressure is a powerful way to keep our hearts healthy. High blood pressure affects the heart and the arteries, potentially leading to heart attack or stroke. Meditation, alongside a healthy diet, can help reduce blood pressure. Practices like transcendental and mindfulness meditation can induce relaxation, which in turn lowers blood pressure.
Getting started with meditation isn’t hard. There are plenty of instructional videos online to get you going. It’s well worth giving it a try!
