Focusing on the present is hard these days. We’re always getting distracted by our phones instead of finding peace in quiet moments. This might seem like no big deal, but it can actually add to our stress and anxiety. But don’t worry, we’ve got a secret tool – meditation! It helps us keep our mind in the here and now, and it’s excellent for both our mental and physical wellbeing. Here are some reasons why meditation is great:
1. Stress Buster:
Everyone gets stressed out, but it’s not healthy if it goes unchecked. It can mess with your sleep, make you overeat, even thin your hair. It also leads to serious stuff like heart issues. The good news is, meditation is like a stress sponge. It soaks up this harmful hormone called cortisol, which stirs up trouble like body inflammation. By practicing mindfulness meditation, you not only soak up the stress, but also reduce inflammation. If you’ve been feeling stressed lately, meditation could be your way out.
2. Eases the Pain:
With over 50 million people in America living with chronic pain, handling daily chores can be a monumental task. Doctors are now moving away from harmful painkillers and towards safer practices like cognitive behavioral therapy, acupuncture, physical therapy, and you guessed it, meditation. It’s been found to help patients tolerate acute pain better and even reduce lower back pain. But remember, always check with your doctor before starting anything new.
3. Fights Depression:
Depression can really mess with the enjoyment of daily life. It makes it hard for us to find happiness or meaning in anything. Meditation can help here too. It helps break the chain of negative thoughts that can lead to stress and anxiety, which can eventually lead to depression. Practicing mindfulness meditation can help lift us out of these negative thoughts by bringing our attention back to the present.
4. Healthy Heart:
Heart diseases cause too many early deaths around the world than we’d like. Paying attention to our heart health can significantly cut this risk. A proven way is to lower our blood pressure. High blood pressure makes the heart work too hard and can hurt our arteries over time, which can lead to heart attacks or strokes. Guess what, meditation can help control this! Styles like transcendental and mindfulness meditation can help relax your brain and lower blood pressure.
So, thinking about trying some meditation? Good news, it’s super easy to start. There are tons of online videos to guide you on your meditating journey. Give it a shot and unlock the benefits of a healthier mind and body.
