We’re already halfway through the year and we are concerned more than ever. When will things go back to normal? Will there still be a normal to return to anyway? These kinds of questions fixate our minds on things we don’t have control over, and if this continues in the long run, it can have adverse effects on our overall health and well-being.
Since we’re mostly holed up at home nowadays, it’s the perfect time to try or continue practicing meditation. For a much needed mental shift from life’s on-going challenges, meditation can help manage stress and ease your mind, heart, and body from their burdens.
Here are some science-backed meditation benefits to improve your health, inspire your soul, and refresh your mind:
Meditation benefits for your mind
Daily meditation practice balances the two regions of the brain that are responsible for memory, concentration, and emotions (amygdala), and default mode network. Training these hemispheres through consistent meditation lowers the risk of depression, anxiety, and raging thoughts. As a result, you can sleep better and enjoy a positive outlook in life.
Meditation benefits for your heart
Regular meditation is needed to activate the body’s rest-and-digest functions - a positive response to the body’s fight-or-flight response when stressors trigger you. Studies show that this reaction regulates blood pressure and heart rate since stress hormones are at bay.
Meditation benefits for your body