#HealthBytes: 5 incredible health benefits of meditation
Meditation has become quite a global phenomenon in the past couple of decades, as people from all parts of the world are getting aware of its many positive effects. Studies and surveys have shown that it is great for our overall mental, physical, and emotional well-being. If you need some more motivation to get going, here are 5 incredible health-benefits of meditation.
Meditation reduces stress levels and also helps control anxiety
Given the fast-paced lifestyles, and hectic work schedules, increased levels of stress and anxiety among people have become commonplace. That's why, a lot of people, today, are turning to meditation. A large, 3500-participant study found out that regular meditation considerably lowered stress levels among them. Another, eight-week study showed that it effectively reduced anxiety and related issues like phobias, OCD behaviors, and panic attacks.
Meditation can help slow down aging
The many positive effects of meditation on your brain and body are known to slow down aging among daily practitioners. Its ability to reduce stress and anxiety, improve focus, and enhance memory, will help your mind stay young for a long time. A review of several studies found that multiple meditation styles enhanced attention, memory and mental quickness, particularly in older volunteers.
Regular meditation gives you the priceless gift of self awareness
Regular meditation can help you get better understanding of yourself and your thoughts, thus helping you in becoming the best form of yourself. Studies have shown that participants who did regular meditation experienced improved self-esteem, and reduced feelings of loneliness, compared to others. Further, practitioners of meditation are usually quite content and happy with their lives. Additionally, it helps cultivate better creative problem-solving abilities.
Meditation also improves your quality of sleep
A study compared two groups, one in which the participants practised meditation, and the other in which they didn't. It was found that meditation-practising individuals were able to fall asleep sooner, and stay asleep longer, compared to the other group. This happens because meditation by nature reduces your stress and anxiety, relaxes your mind and body, and gives you better control over your thoughts.
Meditation lowers down blood pressure, and enhances immunity
A 2008 study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, showed that 40 of 60 high blood pressure patients who started meditating were able to stop their BP medications. This happens because meditation, by promoting relaxation, increases nitric oxide, that helps blood vessels to open, and ultimately blood pressure to drop. Further, you experience enhanced immunity by mediating regularly.
