Benefits of Meditation: 12 Science-Based Benefits of Meditation

Stress Reduction

An important reason why many people try meditation is to lower their stress. A study of 3,500 people found that it definitely does what it says it does, which is to reduce stress.

Controls Anxiety

Less stress means less anxiety. Participants in an eight-week mindfulness meditation trial reported reduced anxiety. They also lowered social anxiety, paranoia, panic attacks, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors.

Promotion of Emotional Health

Some types of meditation can improve self-esteem and outlook.Two 4,600-person studies found mindful meditation reduces depression.

Self-Awareness Enhancement

Some types of meditation can help you become more aware of and knowledgeable about yourself. In turn, this can help you become the best person you can be.

Attention Span Becomes Lengthened

Focused-attention meditation improves attention endurance and strength.A study on mindfulness meditation indicated that participants' attention increased after eight weeks.

Age-Related Memory Loss May be Reduced

Improving attentiveness and clarity of thought helps keep your mind fresh.Kirtan Kriya meditation uses a mantra and finger motion to control thoughts.

Helps to Generate Kindne

You and others can feel and act better after some meditations.Metta is loving-kindness meditation. Kindness to yourself is the first step.

Can Help to Fight Addiction

Meditation can help you create healthy mental habits that can help you break addictions by making you more aware of the things that make you want to use drugs or alcohol and giving you more self-control.

Improves Sleep

Nearly half the population will experience insomnia.A random assignment study examined two mindfulness-based meditation methods. One group meditated, the other did not.

Helps to Control Pain

Stress increases pain perception.One study examined participants' brain activity during a painful stimuli using MRI. Some volunteers had taken a four-day mindfulness meditation course before.

Can Decrease Blood Pressure

Meditation reduces cardiac strain, improving physical health.Over time, high blood pressure makes the heart work harder to pump blood. It can weaken the heart.

You Can Meditate Anywhere

People practice several types of meditation. Usually, no space or equipment is needed. You can practice for a few minutes or longer each day.

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