Sarah Linton
Professional & Personal Coach
10 Psychological Health Benefits Of Meditation
If you’ve come here from the Our Meditation Movement Blog – you will already know how this movement is impacting our world for the better.
In part 1 we covered the 10 Physical Health Benefits that will connect you to your Zen. If that’s not already enough here’s even more value – 10 Psychological Health Benefits what this does for our mind.
#1. Meditation reduces anxiety and depression.
Firstly, when we meditate, the brain and nervous system undergo radical changes. One study found zen-type meditations significantly reduce stress when practised over a period of three months. Another study revealed that meditation literally reduces the density of brain tissue associated with anxiety and worrying. If you want your stress levels to plummet, meditation may be the answer.
#2. Increases stress resilience.
When we are able to switch off the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) and trigger the parasympathetic nervous system (relaxation) on a regular basis, we are training our bodies to rapidly recover from the impact of stress.
#3. Increases positive emotions.
The cycle starts by reducing stress, as a result, we feel calm, then we connect to the present so even more confidence flows.
Photo Credit Antonioguillem| Inhale – Exhale
Photo Credit Maridav | And Breathe….
#4. Increases focus & present moment awareness.
Meditation stimulates the pre-frontal cortex with key responsibilities for concentration, focus and problem-solving.
#5. Increases emotional stability and intelligence.
By reducing our stress levels, our hormones balance out – we feel less reactive, less defensive and effortlessly balanced.
#6. Increases your capacity to learn.
By stimulating the prefrontal cortex, we are also awakening the brains learning centre. More brain volume = more brainpower.
#7. Increases empathy and compassion.
Evidence-based studies scientific studies reveal that our ability to be compassionate and empathetic is a brain game. Regular meditation rewires the brain and increases our ability to be able to consider the feelings and needs of others and how we could be of service. Loving-kindness meditation (sometimes called Metta) is a compassion-based meditation that enhances brain areas associated with mental processing and empathy.
Meditation can change your brain to improve memory and concentration
#8. Increases a sense of connection to your self and others.
The more you meditate the more you become aware of who you are therefore creating a connection to self-love and happiness.
#9.Increases your sense of purpose.
Life takes on greater meaning and you feel a deeper sense of purpose and satisfaction.
#10. Improves sociability.
The power of belonging and connection to self improves our ability to connect to others. It also increases your sense of social connectedness. Not a huggy-type person?… You just might become one after trying Metta (loving-kindness meditation).
Sources: The American Journal of Psychiatry, ScienceDirect
Sources: US National Library of Medicine
Photograph by _______ from ______
2 TOC tips from our clients who enjoy getting their zen on.
1) Concentrate on a single sentence helps them to focus & empty their mind.
2) Play soft music to help block out other background noise. There is a multitude of apps available to help focus the mind. Take a look at your App store to see what resonates for you.
Tides of Change has got into the zone with the following Apps:
Imagine creating a daily habit that will create abundant joy and happiness in your life. Give it whirl.
Imagine 6 months from now knowing that you started something today to create even more personal freedom in all areas of your life.
“Meditation is a process of lightening up, of trusting the basic goodness of what we have and who we are, and of realising that any wisdom that exists, exists in what we already have. We can lead our life so as to become more awake to who we are and what we’re doing rather than trying to improve or change or get rid of who we are or what we’re doing. The key is to wake up, to become more alert, more inquisitive and curious about ourselves.”
Takeaways
Would you give meditation a go knowing the impact on our wellness? What surprised you about the benefits of meditation? Leave a comment below.
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