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The benefits of meditation are now being recognized and reaped by people across the world. Meditation is a traditional remedy for health and well-being that is particularly prevalent on the Indian subcontinent. What people who regularly practice meditation have long known and experienced is now beginning to be supported by a scientific study on the benefits of meditation on mental health.
What might surprise you is that millions of people are discovering the life-changing benefits of meditation. It should come as no surprise that more people are looking for methods to decrease stress and anxiety while also enhancing their quality of life.
What is Meditation?
It is thought that meditation first appeared in India many centuries ago. It is frequently linked to Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, and the ancient nations of Egypt and China. There are more than 20 references of meditation in the Bible. The recent history of meditation, however, is more secular and even seen as mainstream, similar to that of yoga or Pilates.
Contemplation or reflection is the most basic definition of meditation. Some people define it as training your attention to attain a calm, focused, and upbeat mental state. This mindfulness-based exercise has a long history of promoting relaxation and overall well-being. Any type of meditation can be practiced for even a short amount of time each day to build a pattern for health and well-being.
What are the Benefits of Meditation for Mental Health?
The sensation of quiet, peace, and balance that meditation can bring can help your physical and emotional health. By concentrating your attention on anything peaceful, you can also utilize it to unwind and manage stress. You can learn to maintain your focus and maintain inner serenity by practicing meditation. Some benefits of meditation are:
1) Managing Difficulties with Addictions
The mechanism of addiction, whether to pharmaceuticals, food, or any other "drug," is the same--when the craving is satisfied, the brain releases feel-good chemicals (like dopamine). Once enhanced dopamine-induced pleasure is felt, your brain soon develops a chronic need to relive the pleasure.
According to research, mindfulness meditation activates the area of the brain that is responsible for these desires, thereby aiding you in controlling your addictions as the craving is being met in a healthy fashion.
2) Helps in Managing ADHD Symptoms
According to research, mindfulness meditation can help the brain develop its ability to focus and pay attention. This is due to research that indicates meditation thickens the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for focus, planning, and impulsive behavior.
According to this study, adults and adolescents who meditate experience fewer symptoms of ADHD. All of the participants said their symptoms had subsided, and 30% said they had subsided significantly.
3) Increases Awareness of Oneself
Certain types of meditation may aid in your self-understanding and growth and help you become your best self. For instance, self-inquiry meditation specifically attempts to assist you in becoming more aware of who you are and how you interact with people around you.
Some techniques train you to spot potentially damaging or self-defeating beliefs. The notion is that as you become more conscious of your thought patterns, you may guide them towards more beneficial ones.
4) Reduces Loneliness
Being lonely is a sneaky emotion that makes it difficult to interact with others and have a good time.
According to US research, from 2019, 61% of Americans identify as lonely, prompting some to refer to this phenomenon as a "loneliness pandemic." Meditation can make people feel less alone and enhance their mental health because it trains the mind to concentrate on eradicating ideas and giving people perspective on their role in the cosmos.
5) Aids in Coping
Everybody experiences grief, anxiety, or loss at some point in their life. The benefits of meditation are particularly seen in managing the day-to-day effects of life's obstacles, whether they be financial anxieties, marital problems, or even just a nagging anxiety about something banal (is my bike going to break down again?).
The advantages will become available to you more quickly the earlier you begin. With practice, meditation can truly change the brain and offer tremendous support for mental health. Meditation is not a miracle cure, but it is something you include in your routine, preferably every day. What's even better is that you may practice meditation at home, whenever it's convenient for you, without having to take a course or join a group in order to get these benefits.
Try different meditation techniques to see which ones suit you the best and figure out the ones you love. To suit your current demands, adjust your meditation. There is no right or wrong method to meditate, so keep that in mind. The popular benefit of meditation is that it makes you feel less stressed and more relaxed overall.
Janvi Kapur is a counselor with a Master's degree in applied psychology with a specialization in clinical psychology.
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