Happy World Meditation Day! When we begin to meditate, we begin to take care of ourselves in a way that may not seem obvious at first glance, but is very different. Meditation has numerous and diverse benefits. Moreover, this effect is supported by science. Meditation provides many benefits for your mental health when it is made a habit and repeated over and over again. You can read on to learn more about the positive relationship between meditation and mental health.
Meditation, especially mindfulness meditation teaches practitioners to focus on the present moment from one breath to the next. Mindfulness is the way you realize what is happening moment by moment, whether it is easy or difficult, painful or joyful, whatever it is. The practice of meditation builds a muscle to be present and alert in your life. For this reason, it has many lesser-known benefits. Especially in studies that support mental health, doctors support that meditation can be a recommended method in the treatment of mental disorders.
How Meditation Improves Mental Health
Studies have shown that meditation helps individuals to sleep better, cope with certain symptoms associated with mental disorders such as depression and anxiety, and reduces some of the psychological difficulties associated with chronic pain. Moreover, it is observed that meditation improves some cognitive and behavioral functions.
At the same time, with better focus and concentration, advanced self awareness and self respect, less stress and anxiety meditation creates an environment of mind that is as resilient as it is healthy by promoting well-being.
A Strong and Resilient Mind
Mindfulness meditation can increase concentration on other tasks in daily life by practicing focusing on the present moment.
Better focus and concentration helps us to be more determined and focused in such situations by enabling us to control our sense of panic and distraction in our daily work, making it possible for us to be less affected by daily difficulties than before, and to endure difficulties more resilient.
Mindfulness meditation also encourages you to slow down, allows you to start digging deeper into your thoughts and more accurately understand the reasons for your feelings.
Helping you discover the positive traits about yourself, helping you see the potential in you and supports your development of self-respect and self-confidence.
Self awareness, is to take a position against external factors by increasing our power to know what we are doing and who we are by stepping on the ground more confidently and more firmly. Our enjoyment of life changes a lot.
"Mindfulness helps increase self-awareness by increasing the ability to examine one's thoughts and feelings without judgment, which in turn improves self-esteem."
- Dr. Brian Wind
Regulating Negative Emotions
Meditation builds strong feet for our mind on which it can stand, with the stability and endurance meditation brings step by step, and this ensures that it remains strong and calm like a mountain in the face of situations.
According to some research, it helps us better manage our emotions. Especially in the face of negative emotions, anxiety, stress and even anger and fear, it is very possible for us to lose control. Thanks to meditation, we can establish a solid mood atmosphere that takes the strings in our minds.
For example, according to the American Cancer Society, about 60 percent of cancer survivors in one year report moderate to severe concerns about their disease returning. Fear can have serious, distressing consequences that negatively affect mood, relationships, work, and overall quality of life. Yet, a study conducted with 222 cancer survivors in 2017 shows that fear of cancer recurrence is significantly reduced in patients who undergo meditation therapy sessions, and they learn a strategy to control their anxiety.
Stress Management
While stress may seem like a part of everyday life in today's modern world, a number of negative health effects are associated with stress: headaches, muscle pain or tension, fatigue, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping... Uncontrollable stress can also increase the risk of chronic health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes.
Therefore, managing stress is important for overall health. One way to do this is through meditation, because meditation can lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. The powerful effect of meditation on stress has been proven by neurological examinations.
Depression and Anxiety
Mindfulness meditation trains our mind to focus on the present. In this way, it makes us less likely to think and concentrate on anxious thoughts that can feed depression.
A research analysis published in 2014 in JAMA Internal Medicine found that mindfulness meditation can help relieve anxiety and depression and be part of a comprehensive mental health treatment plan.
Research has also supported the benefits of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), a therapy program that includes mindfulness meditation. Studies have found that this program can help those with anxiety, calm their minds and reduce symptoms of depression, including trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, and low mood.
It is possible to see many health benefits of meditation, including physical, mental and emotional. If you want to improve your focus, reduce stress, fight depression or chronic pain, meditation may be a good option for you. It is possible to experience these proven benefits by trying meditation practices that suit your needs.
