Benefits of meditation and practicing mindfulness
Meditation is a technique that people all over the world have practiced for thousands of years. Today, people continue to practice meditation and mindfulness due to how it benefits brain health, cognitive function, and mental health. And, as the ancient technique has gained significant momentum, modern technology and research continue to shed light on the benefits of practicing meditation, how it works, and why it helps people deal with the stress of daily life.
Meditating involves clearing one’s mind and focusing on certain thoughts or movements. On the outside, it may appear that someone who’s meditating is not actually doing anything. However, the person may be focusing internally on their breathing patterns, or perhaps repeating a sound or phrase in their brain. Meditation as a practice has emerged from various ancient cultures and faiths around the world, adopting both religious and nonreligious forms and techniques.
Examples of various forms of meditation include…
- Body-centered meditation: This kind of meditation focuses on the physical sensations one can feel, sometimes focusing on or relaxing a particular part of the body, such as the hands, shoulders, or back.
- Mantra meditation: This practice involves repeating a specific phrase or affirmation in one’s head or aloud.
- Movement meditation: One might focus on breathing exercises or performing certain physical movements; meditation with movement may also include walking while actively observing one’s surroundings and sensations.
- Mindfulness meditation: Being mindful involves “grounding” oneself, paying close attention to what’s happening in the moment and pushing away worries about the past or future. Some people may combine mindfulness with body-centered meditation to use their physical sensations as a foundation for understanding the world around them.
People may meditate for different reasons, but the practice yields a variety of benefits. Meditating is well-known for its mental health benefits, as it can improve one’s ability to think clearly, concentrate, and cope with stressful situations. Those suffering from mental illnesses like anxiety, depression, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may see an improvement in their symptoms through meditation. The mental, emotional, and cognitive clarity that meditation and mindful practices can also promote better quality of sleep, lowered blood pressure, and improved heart function, among other physical benefits.
Though it’s primarily known for how it can support cognitive and mental health, meditation can also be used to help people overcome addiction. Holistic approaches to rehabilitation and treatment for substance abuse encourage patients to connect with their physical, mental, and spiritual selves; meditation provides an effective strategy to foster the relationship between these three facets of the self. Since meditation and mindfulness promote awareness of one’s thoughts and physical sensations, a person in recovery can learn to better recognize their triggers or cravings and cope with feelings of physical discomfort by “training” their brain through these practices.
Over the past decade or so, research has indicated that mindfulness meditation can support treatment of substance use disorders, lessen withdrawal symptoms, and aid in relapse prevention for those dealing with alcohol addiction. However, much research that supports meditation’s role in treatment for substance use, addiction, and mental illness is still considered preliminary. Those struggling with mental illness or substance abuse should not seek to replace treatment with meditation, but consider supplementing their treatment with meditation and mindful techniques instead.
Meditation transcends cultural and religious boundaries, making it a versatile tool for self-improvement and holistic well-being. It offers a multitude of benefits, from enhancing mental clarity and emotional resilience to promoting physical health and aiding in addiction recovery. While research supports its role as a complementary tool in treatment, meditation alone should not replace professional intervention but be embraced as a potent complement. Its enduring popularity and continued relevance are a testament to its profound impact on brain health, cognitive function, and mental well-being.
