Meditation Is Good For You

The hesitancy surrounding the use of the word meditation is based largely on negative links it has to several disciplines from the eastern world. This comes from a severe misunderstanding of the roots of meditation and its classification as an alternative therapy.

Some believe that its use is against their religious and moral principles as it is a new age concept. This, however, is not the case. One is not sacrificing one’s own traditional or long held values to practise meditation. Meditation is practised in one of several forms by all major religions including Christianity, Islam and Judaism. It can also be practised without any religious ritual or association. Therefore, it should be embraced in any form that is acceptable to you or that you find comfortable.

Meditation has many life-enhancing benefits which transcend physiology and places your life into perspective. How is this done? Research suggests that meditation shifts brain activity from the right frontal cortex to the left frontal cortex. This simply means that thought and processes are moved from the stress-prone part of the brain to the calmer side of the brain. The result is a calmer, happier and well adjusted you.

The benefits of meditation can be characterised as follows:

Self-Actualisation

Development of one’s own self-identity. Young women have been someone’s daughter for so long and then will move on to be someone’s wife and mother. Therefore, it is easy to lose or not develop their sense of identity. Meditation will help them connect to themselves apart from who they are to someone else.

Reduced stress through improved relaxation

When feeling stressed by a situation it is easy to take a meditation break to restore inner calm and reconnect you to what is important to your life. When feeling stressed take a meditation break to relax your mind and body. This is easy as there is no special equipment required and it can be done any where. It improves relaxation by helping block out all the stressful components of your life and bring you peace.

Physical well-being 

Meditation promotes physical health from the core to the skin. One is able to stabilise blood pressure and cholesterol, make respiration easier, and keep one looking and feeling young. There are several chronic diseases such as asthma and cancer and other conditions such as allergies and fatigue that are improved if used in addition to your medical doctor’s regular treatment.

Enhanced psychological well-being

Meditation helps one to relax, reduces anxiety and stress levels, improves memory and learning, decreases depression, irritability and moodiness and helps you prioritise what’s truly important in your life. Consequently, one is happier, more fulfilled and more at rest with their place in the world.

Meditation promotes total wellness of body, soul and mind and has the potential to enhance your life by placing life in perspective. It is recommended that to maximise the benefits of meditation that you should make time for it everyday.

Meditation is something that can be done to experience any of the above mentioned benefits or to connect with yourself and your spirituality. Either way it will keep you focused and comfortable within your skin. Don’t be afraid to meditate whenever faced with a stressful situation such as an exam or interview.

Coming soon: How to meditate