Meditating is one of the hottest topics on the internet. People across the web claim that meditation will make you a better, happier, more fulfilled person.
The reasoning is vast. Some people claim that meditating works simply by making you more present and fully engaged in your life.
Others claim that meditating has some pretty outlandish physical effects. One of the most common examples of this kind of reasoning is seen in the claim that meditation will lengthen the telomeres on your chromosomes.
While there is plenty of this kind of pseudoscience floating around on the internet, the truth is, that meditation can have some pretty incredible benefits if used properly.
But what is proper use? How can you best incorporate meditation into your life? And what kind of positive effects can you expect to see?
This article will answer all the questions you have about meditation so you can decide if it’s worth trying out yourself.
What is Meditation
Before we start, we should define what meditation actually is.
Meditation is a form of mindfulness practice focused on grounding the meditator. The purpose of most meditation is to bring your attention to the present moment.
There are numerous ways this can be done.
The most common form of meditation focuses on breathing. This kind of meditation is typically done in a seated position, with the practitioner taking long, slow breaths in and out.
The goal is to clear the practitioner’s mind of everything aside from the simple act of breathing.
But while this is the most common type of meditation, it isn’t the only kind. There are many other forms of meditation centered around everything from walking to eating a tangerine.
What is the Point of Meditation?
The goal of meditation is to put you in touch with the present. While it may seem like you are already in touch with the current moment, the truth is, many of us live our lives focused entirely on the past or future.
While this isn’t always a bad thing, when done in excess, it can rob you of your joy and lead to increased stress levels.
Meditation trains you to stay grounded. It helps you avoid getting stuck in your wandering thoughts and instead teaches you to focus on your physical body, thus keeping you in the here and now.
What are the Benefits of Meditation?
Meditation has numerous benefits.
For starters, meditation is a great way to improve your mindfulness at work. Mindfulness at work has been shown to reduce stress, boost productivity, prevent burnout, and increase worker output and well-being.
Additionally, mindfulness meditation can improve your mental health. People with mental health conditions like anxiety and depression frequently find themselves stuck in thoughts of the past or future.
By bringing your attention back to the present, you can combat some of the symptoms of mental health conditions.
While meditation isn’t a cure for mental illness, it may be helpful and good to incorporate as part of a well-rounded treatment plan.
Finally, mindfulness meditation can help you feel more joy in your life. While this is a subjective statement, it is nonetheless backed by psychological research. People who practice mindfulness meditation often report better subjective feelings and less negative moods.
Ultimately, only you know if meditation is worth incorporating into your life. If you’re curious though, it’s worth trying to see how you feel.
