The Benefits of Meditating
More and more people are discovering the benefits of meditating in our current fast-paced society, where we chronically experience a lack of time and our minds work overtime. While meditation has been practiced for over 7,000 years, it may be more important today than ever before. Science is also increasingly providing evidence that meditation promotes health.
The Origin of Meditation
The oldest images of meditation come from India and date back to 5000 B.C. The word meditation comes from "meditatum," a Latin term meaning 'to ponder.' It's funny because during meditation, you try not to think too much but instead observe your thoughts. By practicing meditation, we can seek a better connection with our bodies and create a stronger awareness of how our emotions influence our behavior. Practicing meditation contributes to our physical, mental, and emotional health.
Health Benefits
When you meditate regularly, you can experience these health benefits:
- It improves concentration and memory.
- You train your willpower, which you can benefit from in various areas.
- You fall asleep more easily and sleep better.
- You can gain a more positive outlook on life and feel better overall.
- You feel more compassion and become kinder.
- You feel connected to the people around you, reducing loneliness.
- The stress hormone cortisol decreases, leading to less stress.
- The amount of inflammation in the body can decrease.
- Meditation can also counteract anxiety, phobias, and panic attacks.
- It can reduce the perception of pain in the brain.
- Blood pressure drops during and after meditation.
- Meditating can positively influence your immune system.
You Can Learn to Meditate
Never meditated before but want to start? There are many ways to learn nowadays. There are plenty of YouTube videos, books, or apps, or you can take a course. For example, Netflix has the Headspace Guide to Meditation.