Why Try Meditation?

By definition, meditation is to think deeply or focus one’s mind for a period of time, in silence or with the aid of chanting, for religious or spiritual purposes or as a method of relaxation. There are three main types of meditation: Focused Attention, Mindfulness, and Effortless Transcending.

Dating back to prehistoric times, meditation has been seen in many religious contexts, but it is not limited to religion. According to Psychology Today on 7/7/13, in the Indus Valley, archaeologists discovered evidence of meditation in wall art dating from approximately 5,000 to 3,500 BCE.

How is Meditation Helpful?

Meditation can be an effective form of stress management and can have very positive effects on the quality of life. Sometimes, it is also known to reduce the cost of healthcare. Also, it does not have to be super complicated. You can start small with just a minute or two a day and work your way up. It is very useful in a group setting. You could try meditating by a friend or family member. Companies are turning more to meditation classes for their employees for overall wellness.

Meditation is a way for us to take control of our mental health and be responsible in maintaining it. We learn to focus our attention as soon as it drifts, teaching us better focus overall even when we are not meditating. A notable effect of meditation is the way it makes us less stressed out. It actually loosens neurological pathways in the medial prefrontal cortex, the place where we associate things with ourselves and our experiences. This essentially is loosening your fear connections. It sounds like a negative, but it is not. It simply means we do not react as strongly to negative situations and can assess them further before panicking.