A Mental Workout That Brings Laser Targeted Clarity To Your Life

What Mindfulness Meditation
Means to You in Your Life

If you’re anything like me, when I first heard about meditation I thought, “Whoa this definitely  isn’t for me!”  I mean… isn’t this type of thing reserved for Buddhists, and subculture lifestyles such as hippies and channelers?

I had no interest in learning more about it or how it is practiced.   I mean, I could think of a million other things I would rather be doing than sitting silent, repeating weird mantra’s for who knows how long!

But after hearing about it more and more, I decided to try it for myself.  And boy was I wrong!

After only a few minutes of going through a guided mediation, I felt at peace, more optimistic, and laser focused, just to name a few immediate benefits.

So, if you haven’t tried it, read on to learn how truly beneficial mindfulness meditation can be for you!

Mindfulness Meditation according to Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Central Pennsylvania is a western, non-sectarian, researched based form of meditation derived from a 2500 year old Buddhist practice called Vipassana or Insight meditation.

It is the practice of being unconditionally present.

In today’s society we are easily distracted by work, life, and technology.

When you mindfully meditate, you are free from all distraction and given an opportunity to be present in the moment.  It focuses on our consciousness wherein we learn to be more aware of our thoughts, feelings, sensations and environment.  Thus, allowing your internal wisdom to be heard.

Reasons why people meditate vary from person to person. Some people meditate for spiritual reasons while others do it to increase self-awareness, creativity, internal guidance, and improve quality of life.

If you are at all still skeptical like I was, here is some scientific proof.  A study conducted by UMass Medical School’s Center for Mindfulness Stress reduction found that meditation reduced patients’ medical symptoms by 35% and saw a 40% reduction in psychological symptoms!

There’s a reason why it has been around for thousands of years!  By taking a few minutes or longer out of your day to incorporate mindfulness meditation, it can help improve several areas in your life from pain, emotions, disease, sleep and so much more!

Here are 5 ways meditation can change your life:

1. It can boost creativity

When you are able to spend time being present instead of focusing on the daily grind, you are able to gain greater insight and perspective into things in your life.  People have said that they have found a renewed sense of inspiration and ideas popping up everywhere!

 2. It can help overcome negative emotions

Think stress, anger, fear, depression and anxiety.  Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital, the University of Arizona, Boston University, the Santa Barbara Institute for Consciousness Studies and Emory University, found that meditation changes the way the amygdala brain region (responsible for emotion and memory processing) reacts to emotional stimuli.  They also found that this emotional processing continues to occur even when individuals were not meditating, thus creating more emotional stability.  In addition, it may also help protect against certain mental conditions.

 3. It can improve sleep  

A study conducted by the University of Utah found that people who meditate reported feeling like they had more control over their emotions and behaviors during the day, and less activation at night allowing for better sleep!

4.  It may lower the risk of cardiovascular disease

Some small studies suggest that meditation may lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.  Stress is a major risk factor for heart disease.  And when you meditate regularly, your cortisol levels decrease, and feelings of stress diminish.  In addition, it may help lower blood pressure because it makes you feel more relaxed and at ease.

 5. It can improve focus and memory  

It has been found meditation causes structural changes in the brain that improve focus and memory.  A researcher by the name of Katherine Kerr, found that people who meditate are able to adjust the brain wave that screens out distraction and increase their productivity more quickly, than those who did not meditate.  By having the ability to block out distractions it allows the brain to take in and remember facts more effectively.

 6. Increase immunity

A study conducted by the University of Ohio found that one month of relaxation exercises boosted natural killer cells in the elderly, and increased their ability to fight off tumors and viruses.

Meditation can be beneficial to everyone!  Aside from the health benefits, if you want to build your self-confidence, combat your fears, control your own thoughts and develop your character, then meditate.  What are you waiting for?

Hope this Helps…

Yours for More Confidence, More Often

Kristyn Haster