Meditation is a self-directed practice of looking inward in serious reflection to achieve inner calm and peace. It is a process of unifying the body, mind and spirit to balance a person's physical, emotional and mental state.
Meditation has been practiced for thousands of years. Although it came from religious origins, many health professionals are now prescribing it to relieve insomnia, anxiety and stress and depression.
Here are the important health benefits of meditation:
1. Physiological
– It induces deep rest which leads to a reduction in metabolic rate. It lessens the workload of your heart. A 15 to 20-minute meditation can give you the same effect as a good night's sleep.
– It reduces the levels of stress related chemicals in the body, cortisol and lactate.
– It reduces the formation of free radicals which can cause damage to your cells.
– It helps to improve circulation and reduce blood pressure
– It helps to lower bad cholesterol level which is one of the major causes of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.
– It has the ability to facilitate easy breathing which is an important factor in supplying oxygen to the blood, the lungs, the brain and the cells. It also helps to provide relief to people who are suffering from asthma.
– It helps to increase energy.
– Its stress-relieving effect has been known to slow down the aging process.
2. Psychological
– It helps to improve brain wave coherence.
– It improves your ability to concentrate and focus.
– It enhances creativity, improves analytical skills, memory and learning ability.
– It promotes happiness, emotional strength and self realization.
– It works to relieve anxiety, stress, depression, moodiness and irritability.
These are the physiological and psychological benefits of meditation. All of them are valuable qualities which can help to give you peace of mind and a sense of well-being.
Above all these, meditation has many more silent yet great benefits. One of them is the realization of the truth that beyond that body and mind, you are pure spirit which is one with the universe.
