Regardless of where you look lately, it appears more individuals than ever are meditating. This habit practiced widely in the East for thousands of years, has been associated solely, until recently, as a powerful tool in the search for spiritual enlightenment. For the vast majority of the population, especially to those in the Western World, was nothing more than a colossal waste of time. Until recently, that is. Science has been scrutinizing the claims of those who credit the quieting of their minds to transforming their lives in a surprising variety of ways. Much to the astonishment of the researchers, meditation can make a difference in your life. And the evidence isn’t just anecdotal. There’s a reason why human beings continue to practice it: because it actually changes your brain. And we know that now, thanks to fMRI – functional magnetic resonance imaging. Benefits If that weren’t surprise enough, research study after research study shows that the benefits are not only psychological but also physical. Here are only five of the reasons people won’t give up their meditation practice. High Blood Pressure It’s true. And the reason according to scientists is quite simple. Meditation relaxes not only your mind but your physical body as well. When this occurs your body’s nitric oxide content increases, which in turn opens your blood vessels. More blood flowing through your system means a lowering of your blood pressure. A controlled study, conducted several years ago confirm these statements. The project studied sixty individuals with high blood pressure who were asked to mediate as well. Two-thirds of those individuals – forty of them – were able to discontinue their blood pressure medication. Meditation Chases Away the Symptoms of Depression Just as Effectively as Prescription Drugs Meditating can help reduce the symptoms of depression as well as those of anxiety and even pain. One meta-study surveyed nearly fifty clinical trials which involved the participation of some 3,500 individuals suffering from mild depression. Those trials consistently demonstrated that those who meditated for eight weeks experienced a reduction of their depressive symptoms equivalent to those who took prescription anti-depressant drugs. As amazing as these studies are, more and more meditation has proven to boost a person’s productivity as well. Just a Few Days of Training Improves Concentration and Attention The beauty of this mindfulness practice is the speed with which it transforms your mind. After only a few weeks of meditation, individuals showed a distinct improvement in the focus and memory of individuals. This, however, should come as no surprise. After all, the cornerstone of many types of this practice is focusing your attention on one object or idea for a specific length of time. Meditation Boosts Your Productivity Think about it. It seems only natural that as meditation helps you relax and lessens your stress levels, you’ll be more effective in every aspect of your life: including your career. By the way, this stilling of the mind is sweeping the boardrooms across the country with leading executives taking up to ten days off from work to attend retreats. They aren’t worried about the pile of work they’ll face when they return. They know the time away only makes them more productive when they get back to work. And, yes, there’s a scientific reason for this as well. Meditation activates the right side of your brain, tasked with creating new ideas. Meditation Supports “Super Learning” Yes, this does sound as if comes straight from a science fiction movie. It is, however, pure science. That’s because while you meditate you’re improving the quantity of your alpha brainwaves which are essential for not only learning but also studying, memorizing and recalling chunks of information. Only the Tip of the Iceberg These five benefits of meditation, lower blood pressure, reduced symptoms of depression and improved concentration and focus, productivity as well as “super learning” represent only the tip of the iceberg of how a daily twenty-minute meditation session can improve your health and your career. (You don’t need to start with twenty minutes of this practice. You’ll still receive benefits if you start with as little as two or three minutes and work yourself up.) If you’ve been considering meditation but worried that it’s just a waste of time, Don't give up. Science at once the ultimate skeptic of this practice is now avidly recommending it for better health and a less stressful health style.
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