Mindfulness and meditation have existed for thousands of years, and are increasingly becoming an important part of life and health in most cultures of the world. They can be connected with spiritually if you wish, or you can practise as a completely non-secular activity. As we go about our busy lives, taking some quiet time to turn inward and let go of our other activities, chores and cluttered mind is a great way to centre and reset. Instead of doing, doing, doing, we get the chance to just be, be, be.
Health benefits include:
"Remember, all the answers you need are inside of you: you only have to become quiet enough to hear them."
- Increases attention and focus It is so easy to get distracted or overwhelmed by our everyday lives. As we multitask, we lose connection with what we're doing and even ourselves. Mindfulness is about paying attention to right now, and this enhances our ability to attend and focus over the long term.
- Increases immunity Regular mindfulness and meditation practice helps increase immunity by boosting the production of lymphocytes which protect the body from tumours and viruses.
- Enhances emotional regulation You learn different techniques which you can use to address stressors as they appear in your life. You will have more compassion for yourself and others. You learn how to step back from 'negative' emotions to identify and accept them.
- Lowers blood pressure High blood pressure decreases during a meditation session, and over time for those who practice regularly. This increases cardiovascular health by reducing the strain on the arteries and heart.
- Manages pain Meditation can reduce the brain's perception of pain. Various studies of meditators and non-meditators show that while they experienced the same causes of pain, those who meditated were better able to cope with their pain, and even experienced reduced sensations of pain.
- Helps with addiction Meditation and mindfulness helps dissociate cravings from the addictive behaviour. The person is more able to sit through and feel the craving experience, without having to consummate the desire.
- Enhances connection and relationships Meditation helps you listen more deeply to others, feel and express empathy and respond more fully and positively rather than reacting. Metta, also known as loving-kindness meditation, has been found to increase feelings of love, kindness, empathy and compassion, both for oneself and for others.
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Decreases depression
During times of stress, inflammatory chemicals known as cytokines are released leading to mood change and sometimes depression. Studies have shown that meditation can reduce release of these cytokines, thereby reducing depression. Simply being with yourself feels real and helps reduce depression.
- Increases grey matter in the brain Grey matter helps with memory, perspective, learning and regulation of emotions. Meditation and mindfulness has the benefit of boosting the amount of grey matter in the brain.
"Meditation does not come easily. A beautiful tree grows slowly. One must wait for the blossom, the ripening of the fruit and the ultimate taste. The blossom of meditation is an inexpressible peace that permeates the entire being. Its fruit... is indescribable."