Proven Benefits of Meditation

By Katie Hoffman

Meditation is fast becoming a prevalent practice in the United States and across the world. Many people from various cultures, communities and walks of life are becoming more familiar with meditation and the benefits thereof.

Meditation has been in existence for nearly 5,000 years. It was originally a spiritual component of yoga; it is now being practiced as a great way of acquiring a peace of mind. For this reason, meditation is often referred to as the "wonder drug;" however, unlike other drugs, you can be certain you will never need a refill, and should never incur a cost for the use of meditation.

There are vast physical, emotional and economical benefits one can expect to experience when practicing the art of meditation. Individuals that practice meditation on a regular basis can expect to be rewarded with less stress and more energy.

Economical Benefits of Meditation

Meditation is a safe, healthy and affordable alternative to traditional methods of relieving stress. Aside from the cost of your meditation mat, you can expect to incur very minimal, if any, costs associated with meditating. The costs of numerous trips to see your physician, coupled with the costs of the medications prescribed, are nonexistent with the use of meditation.

Mental Benefits of Meditation

Many of us are suffering from mental illnesses involving symptoms of fear depression and anxiety. Meditating for approximately 15 minutes each day consistently for a minimum of six weeks, will help you bring happiness and calmness to your life.

Meditation also reduces feelings of fear. How? The amygdala is the part of the brain that controls feelings of fear. Researchers using MRI technology have found that during meditation, there are fewer activities in this section of our brain.

Physical Benefits of Meditation

In addition to mental benefits, meditation does also have physical benefits. Meditation can help you manage your heart disease. There are studies conducted by the Medical College of Georgia that reveals how meditation can help reverse heart disease.

A second study has proved that meditation can also reduce the amount of fatty acids in the arteries of seniors. These findings were noticed in patients that regularly practiced meditation twice a day for seven (7) months.

Techniques of Meditation

Meditation can be both simple and complex for many individuals. There are several techniques you can try while practicing meditation. For beginners, here are the few techniques that you can try.

• Sit or kneel comfortably;
• Open your hands with the palms up and loose, atop the other and make sure your thumbs are lightly touching;
• Keep your head straight;
• Your eyes can be either open or close. If you prefer to open your eyes, you should focus your eyes on your hands.
• Remember to continue breathing in a natural and relaxing way.
• Continue your mediation session for at least 10 to 20 minutes.

Meditation is the best way to clear your mind, relax and soothe your body. There are various forms of meditation, including but not limited to prayer, Zen meditation, Taoist meditation, mindfulness meditation, and Buddhist meditation. While these methods differ in many ways, they all lead to the same end goal, which is a clear mind free of stress, anxiety, fear, and worrying.