Meditation benefits are numerous, but what are the ones that really help us feel great mentally, emotionally and physically? These ten benefits of meditation top the list for mental, emotional and physical well-being.
TOP BENEFIT #1: STRESS RELIEF BY LOWERING "STRESS" CHEMICAL
One of the best meditation benefits is reducing the well-known stress hormone Cortisol. In fact, Cortisol does significant damage to our bodies. With today's fast-paced society, it is common for many people to have too much cortisol surging through their bodies. High levels of cortisol have been found to increase heart attacks, increase undesirable cholesterol, lower bone density, increase blood pressure, cause hyperglycemia, suppress healthy thyroid and lower immunity
…show more content…
Lowered levels of GABA have been associated with increased anxiety, tension and insomnia. Lowered levels of Serotonin are associated with depression. Increasing serotonin levels is one of the most significant meditation benefits in my opinion since so many people today use anti-depressants to influence Serotonin levels.
TOP BENEFIT #3: IMPROVED AND LASTING SENSE OF WELL-BEING
One way to get a "natural high" is to increase the endorphins in the body. Many people have experienced this "high" from exercise. Meditation also increases endorphin levels in the body.
TOP BENEFIT #4: QUIETS MIND CHATTER
When the brain enters a meditative state, one of the benefits of meditation is that the brain has actually "shifted gears" from a "busy mind of Beta frequency" down to a relaxed, calm state of Alpha, Theta or for deep meditation, Delta. Our bodies automatically respond to each brainwave frequency (of Beta, Alpha, Theta or Delta) and become nervous or anxious (in Beta) or calm and relaxed (in Alpha.) Easy meditation techniques such as brainwave meditation automatically put the brain into different states, thus directing the body to respond accordingly and produce appropriate
…show more content…
These higher emotional states are a natural progression because the mind and body are kept more balanced through the other physical and mental meditation benefits discussed herein.
TOP BENEFIT #7: FEEL MORE EMOTIONALLY CONNECTED TO SELF AND OTHERS
Can meditation actually improve relationships? Yes, because when the mind and body's chemicals are working well through regular meditation, many people find the composure, patience and inner peace to handle their relationships and other facets of their lives better. A better connection with self is established and with this connection, there is an open doorway for better emotional connections with others.
TOP BENEFIT #8: ANTI-AGING BY BOOSTING "YOUTHFUL" CHEMICALS
Can one of the meditation benefits be that meditation actually keeps us young? Yes, because meditation has been found to improve chemicals such as DHEA, human growth hormone and melatonin, all of which help our bodies fight
However, meditation is not as common within Buddhism as most believe. There is a large assumption “that Buddhism and meditation go hand in hand”, but the majority of Buddhists have focused on “cultivating moral behavior, preserving the Buddha’s teachings (dharma), and acquiring good karma”(Braun 2014, p.1). Meditation and Buddhism are often assumed to be one and same, but this is also not true. As Buddhism has gained popularity among lay people it’s practices have changed Buddha’s teaching of the middle path has adapted to meditation being “possible in the city” rather than with monks in jungles and caves (p.4). As seen in Burma, in less than 75 years Buddhism and meditation were able to grow “from a pursuit of the barest sliver of the population to a duty of the ideal citizen” (p.5). While meditation is not the core of Buddhism it has encouraged the growth of Buddhism as it’s practice of mindfulness has been inspiring an approachable model (p.6). Meditation and mindfulness are easily manipulated to secularization, but still have significance in Buddhism and following the patterns of your
In order to increase the level of serotonin, you should eat Tryptophan rich foods like tuna, salmon, dairy products, nuts and etc. At second step, you should get outside of the sunlight and absorb Vitamin D. Sun is considered to be best source for Vitamin D. Serotonin production is mainly based on availability of vitamin. It is a component of protein and which human will eat normal diet consume in significant amounts. One will increased with his weight by eating more carbohydrates. This serotonin will be helpful to promote happiness, relaxation and sleep. It is sometimes known as happy neurotransmitter. If there are any deficiencies in molecule, it will lead to depression. Individuals who are feeling difficult to sleep cannot try glass of warm milk before bed. There is some speculation that the popular thanks giving day coma where people will feel tired after a big meal. It is a kind of hormone which helps people to feel relaxed and contented. Similar to many hormones and brain chemicals, serotonin is having role in optimizing the concentrations. It is formed by the acid named tryptophan. It will work to make one to feel sleepy. Serotonin inside our body helps in increasing the ability of being relaxed, happy, confident and calm. It can regulate the memory and temperature. Apart from internal health, it will also help in the external health like with skin. It can be said as boon to the skin. Another name feel
...biology of Meditation and its clinical effectiveness in psychiatric disorders. Biological Psychology, 82(1), 1-11. DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2009.04.003
Cortisol is in the class of hormones called glucocorticoids and affects almost every organ in the body. One of the most important functions of cortisol is to help regulate the body’s response to stress. Cortisol is also responsible for other necessary functions including: helping to maintain blood pressure and cardiovascular functions, helping to slow the immune system’s inflammatory response, helping to balance the effects of insulin in breaking down sugars for energy, helping to regulate the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, and helping to maintain proper arousal of sense of well being. The amount of cortisol is precisely balanced and regulated by the brain’s hypothalamus.
Meditation is an age-old practice that has renewed itself in many different cultures and times. Despite its age, however, there remains a mystery and some ambiguity as to what it is, or even how one performs it. The practice and tradition of meditation dates back thousands of years having appeared in many eastern traditions. Meditation’s ancient roots cloud its origins from being attributed to a sole inventor or religion, though Bon, Hindu, Shinto, Dao, and later, Buddhism are responsible for its development. Its practice has permeated almost all major world religions, but under different names. It has become a practice without borders, influencing millions with its tranquil and healing effects.
Over twenty-five hundred years ago, Buddha Guatama practiced meditation and came to what is known as “The Four Noble Truth,” an important principle in Buddhism (Elder, 2010). This principle informs the reader of what suffering is and how affect is. This is a great example of how valuable meditation is- on the very first session ever recorded, the awareness that came from it would later be the foundation of a new religion. This proves how powerful meditation can be. Furthermore, some form of meditation can be found in various religions. Although the styles, techniques, and ideology behind the meditation can vary per religion, personal transformation is the key goal (Modi, Singh, 2012). Today, in Western society, mindful meditation (a form of meditation) has grown in popularity, used for relaxation and to help treat those who suffer from mental illness’ and mood disorders. Viewed as alternative medicine for the mind and soul, it is beneficial for our emotional and mental
Today, meditation is used as a way to improve healthy living, reduce stress and relax. While it is primarily meant to focus the mind and bring you to enlightenment, these other goals are perfectly fine ones as well.
The studies showed that while meditated, the subjects showed signs of thought processes slowing down and changes occurring in the brain. The purpose of meditation, and mindfulness meditation as mentioned in this course, is to increase awareness while calming the normal thought processes that often overcrowd the mind with ideas that are deemed not-true by Buddhism. These brain scans clearly show that the purpose of meditation is achieved in doing so.
OK. So you’ve heard, that meditation is beneficial for you, maybe you’ve read lists about the advantages of meditation. A ton of different kind of meditations are on-line, and you found several resources, articles, blog posts about the theme to select from. These articles state, that the meditation has countless benefits, which are also proven by scientific research. You can believe them, since eminent scientists carried out extensive research on this subject. And they suggest, you should try them, and of course you should practice it each day. Every day - or you won’t have those benefits.
Mindfulness is a concept or practice that was founded nearly 2600 years ago. It is a very integral component of the Buddhist faith and is believed to be associated with many benefits including self-control, tolerance, flexibility, objectivity, concentration, mental clarity, emotional intelligence, kindness, compassion, acceptance, and equanimity.
People with GAD dwell on their worries excessively, give to much attention to their fearful thoughts, and respond emotionally to negative images. Meditation can help the person to step back from these thoughts, emotions and images and view them as an observer watching from the outside this helps to reduce the stress response and put negative thinking into perspective. Meditation helps control of physical tension by inducing the relaxation response (Wilson, 2009).
Understanding the brain and the different signs will help acknowledge the issues within a person to help them cope with the issue. It is important for one to be aware of their selves and their reactions/behaviors. On the other hand, the studies address the different types of mediation and possible consequences. When introducing a specific technique, there are always pros and cons, and people that are for or against the matter. Meditation is known as healing of the body and/or mind and can be religious. Those different types were address and justified for the understanding of the use for the
In the past two decades, many philosophers, spiritual leaders, and psychological transitions have accentuated the importance of the quality of consciousness for the maintenance and enhancement of well-being. One of the characteristics of consciousness that has been discussed in relation to well-being is mindfulness. In concentration with the psychology discipline, mindfulness meditation practices have been increasingly used to treat a majority of pain, stress and anxiety-related conditions and also, increasing well-being. The ideology of mindfulness meditation has core roots in Buddhist philosophy and other pensive traditions where awareness and conscious attention are actively cultured (Brown, Kirk Warren,2003).
It is well known and proven that over time the benefits of meditating on a regular basis promotes the development of inner calmness, connectedness, focus, flow, a clear clarity of mind, a focused and more stable grounded concentration, along with coherency of thought, increased creativity, being more open and receptive to receive insights, solutions to problems and new ideas, a balanced and harmonious centred inner equilibrium, a relaxed happy body, mind and spirit, which in turn assists as a preventative tool that creates and maintains positive overall vibrant health and wellbeing.
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). (2010). Health info. Meditation: An introduction. Retrieved from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/meditation/overview.htm