Be Kind To Your Mind

Mental health is a tricky topic. While keeping your mental health in check is important and can lead to a fulfilling life, the stigma of having a disorder or thinking differently is still overwhelming in our society. The good news is that there are many ways to help improve your mental well-being. We know meditation can have many positive effects on our overall well-being, but how it does this? There has been much research done in the past few years about meditation and its benefits on stress, anxiety, and depression. It turns out that meditating reduces stress by releasing endorphins (happy hormones) and also increases focus, which helps you cut out distractions that can cause stress. Meditation has also been found to reduce anxiety by increasing gray matter in the areas of the brain associated with fear response and social rejection. Stress has been shown to shrink those same areas over time, so meditation helps reverse the effects by growing them back! Moreover, with all these amazing findings about meditation and its effect on mental health, we’ll explore some of these ideas further!

My view on Meditation:

Meditation is a type of mindfulness practice that focuses on breathing and being present. When we meditate, we focus on our breath and allow ourselves to be in the moment, which can help reduce stress and anxiety.

There are many different types of meditation I practice, but the basics are always the same. I can practice meditation anywhere at any time. To start, I focus on my breathing and I really try to be in the moment, noticing each breath and how it feels. I simply count my breaths or I repeat a positive affirmation in my head. Meditation has help me become less reactive to stress and feel more present in my daily life.

How does Meditation benefit mental health?

Lower stress — Meditation allows you to recognize when you are stressed and helps you to cope with it better. It allows you to step away from the source of the stress, take a breather, and come back with a clear head. Meditation also helps you to stop ruminating over things that cause you stress, which is a huge part of the stress response. When you meditate, you’re building up a resistance to stress and anxiety. Stronger focus — Meditation is a great way to build focus. You can clear your mind of distractions and focus on the present moment. Many people with ADHD are able to calm their minds enough to focus better when they meditate. Higher self-esteem — Meditation can help you to feel more confident and in control of your life. You are taking the time out of your day to take care of yourself. Meditation also helps you to be less critical of yourself and others.

Meditation and Depression:

There have been many studies done on the effects of meditation on depression. It appears that practicing mindful meditation can help reduce depressive symptoms by up to 38%. When someone practices mindfulness meditation, they are learning to be more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations. They are able to focus on what they are doing in the present moment, instead of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. It appears that meditation can also help to reduce anxiety, which is a common symptom of depression.

Meditation and Anxiety:

Most people experience anxiety at some point in their lives. It can be a result of many different factors, but there are many ways to help relieve anxiety. Meditation has been shown to reduce anxiety by up to 40%, which is a huge benefit! Another thing to note is that meditation has been shown to reduce social anxiety as well. When you meditate, you are training your brain to respond to stressful situations differently. You are training yourself to stay calm and focused, rather than letting your emotions take over.

Summary:

It is clear that meditation has many benefits for mental health. It lowers stress, anxiety, and depression, and it helps to build focus, increase self-esteem, and decrease social anxiety. Meditation is a great way to help improve your mental health and overall well-being. So far, I am grateful because I have not been struggling with any mental health issues .. due to meditation? It can be difficult to start Meditating, but the benefits will make it worth it.