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Four Benefits of Meditation

Meditation is known to benefit the mind and lower stress, but did you know that it can also help improve your health? The benefits of meditation have been studied, so here are four benefits of a regular meditation practice.

How to meditate

Meditation can seem intimidating at first. The key is not believing that your mind should be empty of thoughts. That’s not possible! You simply have to let those thoughts go, not paying attention to them. For a post on the how, when, and where of meditation, read our meditation guide. The key to meditation is not the time, but the consistency. Even five minutes per day, every day is better than an hour once a week. Start small, and you can use a timer to keep track. Treat your meditation practice as an essential part of your day, like brushing your teeth. This is a sacred time for you to set aside and care for yourself and your wellbeing.

Lower stress and anxiety

When you take the time to meditation, you take the time to quiet your mind, even your breathing, and calm your heart. For those under stress and dealing with anxiety, this time helps the mind break free from unproductive or negative thoughts that can affect our health. One study even showed that meditation practice helped people with generalized anxiety disorder. If you’re new to meditation and struggling with distracting thoughts, meditating with a mantra, or counting your breaths can help you let go of those thoughts.

Better sleep

The same way that meditation can help with stress and anxiety, it can help you have a better night’s rest. You can meditate any time of the day. If you’re trying to start a regular meditation practice, meditating before you go to bed is a great way to start. Set a timer for five minutes and either sit or lay in bed in a way that’s comfortable for you. Make sure the room is dark and free of distractions. Once you’ve started with five minutes, build up to ten, then twenty. Studies have shown that you can reap the benefits of meditation with twenty-minute sessions.

Lower blood pressure

Chronic stress can contribute to high blood pressure. Reducing stress can help lower your blood pressure, along with yoga and other types of exercise. A study found that those participants who practiced meditation, yoga, and other mindfulness practices reduced their blood pressure. Their results were almost as good as those who took medication only.

Improved memory, focus, and concentration

Did you know that meditation can alter your brain patterns? Simply put, meditation helps you think better! Meditation has also been shown to slow cognitive decline in older adults. It can also help with sharpening decision making in everyone, and can help students in the classroom. No matter your age, you’ll experience the benefits of meditation in your mind, and in your life.

There is no better way to learn about the practice you love than through a yoga teacher training.

Join us and give yourself the opportunity to rest, heal, shed, and grow.