Staying focused on the now is harder than ever. Many of us grab our phones the moment we find ourselves with some free time. Though it might seem like no big deal, not being present can really affect us, especially during stressful times. Meditation can help us bring our attention back to the present moment and it can do wonders for our mental and physical health. Let’s dive into a few of the benefits of meditation:
1. It Decreases Stress:
Stress can sneakily damage our health. Long-term stress can mess up our sleep, make us eat more, and can even thin our hair. If we ignore it, it can cause heart and stomach problems and many other issues. Lowering stress can greatly improve our lives.
Meditation is a great tool for countering stress. Stress shoots up our cortisol levels, a hormone known for causing the negative effects of stress, like inflammation. Research shows that mindfulness meditation, where we focus on the present, can reduce this inflammation caused by stress.
Give meditation a shot if you find yourself stressed out.
2. It’s Good For Pain Management:
Over 50 million Americans deal with chronic pain. People living with persistent pain understand how tough it is to do even the simplest tasks every day.
Many doctors are now prescribing less opiate-based painkillers due to the risk of addiction. They’re exploring alternatives like cognitive behavioral therapy, acupuncture, physical therapy and now, meditation.
Research shows that meditation can increase your tolerance for acute, short-term pain. Another study shows it may provide some relief for people with lower back pain. Always check with your doctor before adding meditation to your pain management regimen.
3. It Reduces Depression:
Depression can severely lower one’s quality of life.
Depression can lead to feelings of loss of purpose and loneliness. Luckily, meditation can help fight the stress and anxiety which could lead to depression. Mindfulness meditation can break negative thought cycles, helping the brain to refocus on the present whenever negative thoughts creep in.
4. It Lowers Blood Pressure:
Heart disease is a leading cause of premature deaths worldwide. It’s really important for us to focus on our heart health.
One way to support your heart health is to reduce your blood pressure. High blood pressure forces the heart to work harder, and over time, can affect how well it functions. High blood pressure can also narrow your arteries, which could lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Here, meditation steps up again, along with a good diet. Research suggests that meditation techniques, like transcendental and mindfulness meditation, can lower blood pressure by relaxing the brain. Researchers also found reduced inflammation and widening of arteries during relaxation.
Why not give it a go? With lots of meditation guidance available online, it’s easier than ever to start.
Tags: Benefits, Meditation, Mental Health, Physical Health.
