During these tough COVID times or in day-to-day life stress, it is imperative to look out for ways to lower stress and anxiety levels. When the stress level or mental pressure increases, it tends to impact overall health. Poor lifestyle choices dominate the many reasons that accumulate stress levels. There are plenty of ways to relieve the day to day stress by incorporating the following:
- Listening to music helps relax the mind.
- Choosing the right food to eat can help to manage stress.
- Taking a deep breath can help and some breathing exercises.
- Laughing out loud with friends reduces stress.
These are a few of the ways an individual can manage their stress. The best practice that has been around for centuries is meditation.
What is meditation?
“Imagine a person seated in a relaxed position with his eyes closed chanting a mantra loudly.”
Well, that’s a quick glimpse of meditation. It is a practice that has a profound and calming impact on the human body. Meditation gives us all the chance of clearing our minds, bring peace or tap the abundant creative energy running through the mind.
Did You Know?
Meditating four days in a row can help you improve your attention span.
Source: National Library of Medicine (2018) Brief Mindfulness Meditation Improves Attention in Novices: Evidence From ERPs and Moderation by Neuroticism [Online].
Know more about some surprising facts about the science of meditation:
- Mindful meditation can improve an individual’s memory.
- As meditation leads to relaxation, it can help to reduce blood pressure.
- Meditation is a more effective painkiller than morphine.
Let’s read how meditation can help us achieve better health and wellness.
Meditation doesn’t cost you money. It only needs your dedicated time and space. To feel healthier every day, know why meditation is good for your health:
Meditation Alleviates Moods
While meditating, the pituitary gland in the brain secretes endorphins that support alleviating mood posing a calming effect. Additionally, it alters brain activity in certain areas associated with bringing positive emotional experiences.
Meditation Improves Immunity
Meditation is known to reduce cortisol levels, the stress hormone. When the cortisol levels are high, there are chances of inflammation which directly hits the immune system. The immune system becomes less effective in fighting against foreign agents, pathogens or viruses. Doing regular meditation can help you to strengthen your immunity and stay protected against many illnesses.
Meditation Reduces Stress
When the brain’s pituitary gland secretes endorphins, it functions to reduce stress levels in the brain bringing out positive feelings and a chance to explore other things. People who practice regular meditation tend to learn new ways to respond to stress in a stressful situation. This experience motivates them to face every challenge with confidence.
Meditation Fights Premature Ageing
Unwanted and unmanaged stress is one of the factors contributing to premature ageing. Moreover, meditation is proven to reduce stress & less stress is good for better skin health.
There are no right or wrong to practising meditation. Sometimes, it is vital to choose the type of meditation that fits your needs and complements your personality. There are nine types of meditation practice, but let’s check a few of them:
Mindfulness Meditation
This practice involves concentration and awareness. In this, the individual has to pay attention to their thoughts as they go through the mind without judging them.
Mantra Meditation
It’s very prominent in many teachings and several traditions. The individual has to meditate using a repetitive sound that helps in clearing the mind. The most popular chanted mantra is ‘Om’. Note: It does not matter if the mantra is spoken loudly or in low sound.
Focussed Meditation
This practice involves concentration and making use of any of the five senses. Effective ways involve counting mala beads, staring at a burning candle flame and listening to a gong.
Spiritual Meditation
This meditation is for those who wish to seek spiritual growth and grow in silence. The use of essential oils like sage, cedar and sandalwood are used in spiritual meditation to enhance spiritual bliss.
Involving in regular meditation is going to be beneficial for individuals in many ways. Whether you wish to attain spiritual calmness, ease anxiety, stress, improve overall wellbeing, meditation is the right choice for every individual.
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