The art of meditation has been practiced for thousands of years - some scientists even claim elements of meditation may have contributed to the latest phases of human biological evolution. Meditation is thought to be a form of inner ‘spiritual exercise’ which can strengthen the connection between body and mind, this in turn improves overall physical and mental well-being.
Even if you don’t believe in the spiritual significance of meditation – many people believe it’s an inexpensive way to reduce stress, improve sleep and can even help support healing for certain illnesses.
There are many different types of meditation – all of which have their own pros and cons – there is no right way to meditate, it’s about finding which one is right for you. What the majority do have in common is that they often ask that you focus your attention and eliminate the stream of jumbled thoughts crowding your mind.
Doing this is thought to encourage a sense of calm, peace and balance using methods such as visualisation, breathing exercises, body postures, sense awareness and concentration.
- Decrease depression
Depression is the result of low levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. These two highly important chemicals are often boosted during meditation, allowing your body to neutralise any depression occupying your brain. It also strengthens the thinking process, teaching us to be aware of our negative thoughts – which subsequently makes them less powerful.
- Reduce risk of heart disease and stroke
The deep meditative state allows your body to relax and experience decreases in metabolism, blood flow and brain activity as a result. The calming effect on our nervous system gives our bodies the time it needs to gather strength, boost energy and repair cells. The reduced stress levels and lower blood pressure also minimizes the stress on your vital organs, reducing the risk of you developing a serious health issue.
- Improves blood pressure
High blood pressure can lead to kidney damage and other serious health issues if left untreated. It is caused by a substance called vasopressin which is released in response to stress and causes pressure in our circulation system. As we meditate, our stress levels fall significantly and so does our blood pressure. Meditation is a proven way to reduce blood pressure naturally without the use of medication.
- Reduce stress and anxiety
The chemical cortisol is produced in response to stress and can increase your risk of mental illness, along with a number of physical health problems. Mindfulness meditation can help lower the levels of cortisol in the brain, therefore reducing the symptoms of stress. The three areas of the brain involved in the function and control of worry are activated during meditation, reducing the symptoms of anxiety.
- Improve immune system
There is evidence that mindfulness meditation has a positive effect on your body’s ability to fight disease and infection. It was found to reduce markers of inflammation which are often associated with a poor immune functioning, as well as increasing the number of the cells involved in sending signals to parts of the body telling them to destroy infections. Are you keen to discover more ways of improving your immune system? Read our ‘7 Ways to boost your immune system’ blog post.
- Enhance sleep
The mind-calming nature of meditation allows you to focus on your breathing and bring your mind’s attention to the present without drifting into concern with the future or past. It will allow you break your train of negative thoughts that will provoke the stress response, therefore encouraging the relaxation response. People who practice mindful-meditation often report noticing a better quality of sleep and reduced fatigue during the day.
We’ve gone into detail about meditation and the health benefits, but what about our diets? Take a look at our super-foods blog to discover how eating healthily can have a great impact on our overall health & improvement of bodily functions.
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