Meditation is scientifically proven to improve your wellbeing. A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) highlights that an average of 2.5 hours of meditation per week can be enough to reap consistent health benefits. That equates to only 21 minutes a day! Think about how much time we waste on social media or watching Netflix. Let that sink in, guys.
In a day and age where everything is so connected, and everyone is moving a million miles an hour, it’s no wonder that the practice of meditation is gaining popularity. Meditation is the training in awareness of your mindset and tapping into a time of calm and quiet. While it may scare you the thought of having to sit still for more than two seconds when you have so much going on in your schedule, this journal post is all about sharing the amazing benefits of this simple practice!
So to define meditation a little bit further, it can mean so many things to different people. You don’t have to sit cross-legged on a towel or stand in warrior pose on top of a mountain. The central premise of meditation is incorporating a sense of stillness and quiet for a few moments into your day.
You can be sitting at your desk before the day starts or staying in your car a few minutes after your evening commute. Take some time to define what your meditation will look like and how long you would like to do it. Know that this can certainly change over time as you develop a habit and practice of meditation. Here are just some of the reasons why meditation is such a great practice to add to your routine:
- One of the main benefits of meditation is that it helps reduce stress. This is automatically a huge plus. Most of us deal with stress on the daily. Anxiety can develop from work, household chores, children, grocery shopping - you name it. Stress can cause havoc to your immune system and mental health. Meditation is an effective and effective way to help you manage stress.
- You can also improve your sleep through meditation. Most people find success in meditation right before bedtime. It allows you time and space to clear your head before laying down for bed. No more late night stress sessions or thinking of a thousand things at once as soon as you close your eyes. Meditation will provide you will a transition period between a rushed schedule or busy day into a time of calm and quiet - perfect for bedtime.
- Another benefit is once you incorporate meditation into your life, it can also encourage other healthy lifestyle practices such as exercising or healthier eating choices. It will begin a chain reaction to layering other habits that will improve your quality of life!
- You can increase your ability to perform tasks that require intense focus or concentration through meditation. Focus is a huge part of the practice of meditation. This skill you develop through your sessions can be translated to your work environment as well. No more depending on a cup of coffee to get the job done!
- Looking to tap more into your creativity? Meditation can help with this too! Expand your mind through a daily practice. This could especially be helpful if you are facing a writer’s block or struggling to come up with a new idea for your latest project.
There are so many benefits to meditation, and this post just scratches the surface of it all! It may take you some time to develop a habit or incorporate this practice into your daily life, but I encourage you to give it a shot.
As with everything new we're learning or that we're trying to get back on track, start small. Make progress towards developing your meditation practice and see how you'll experience the benefits of meditation.
