Benefits of Meditation: Meditating is usually considered to be healing, peaceful, calming, and spiritual. In addition to the calming benefits of meditation, modern-day science is finding more and more benefits (both physically and mentally) associated with meditation. Below are 10 of the not so known benefits of meditation by science.
1. Improves Brain Function
Research has shown that people who meditate regularly experience an increase in grey matter in the brain, specifically areas associated with memory, learning, and emotional regulation.
2. Reduces Anxiety and Stress
Mindfulness meditation has been shown to reduce levels of cortisol (the main stress hormone in the body). Studies have proven its ability to reduce symptoms in individuals diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD.
3. Improves Sleep Quality
Meditating before bed calms the nervous system and studies have shown it allows people to both fall asleep faster and achieve a deeper level of sleep.
4. Decreases Blood Pressure
A study completed by the American Heart Association showed that people who meditate regularly experience improved heart health and physical incurred blood pressure levels; thus decreasing the risks of heart disease and stroke.

5. Might Slow Aging on Cellular Level
There have been studies that show meditation increases telomerase activity, the enzyme that protects the ends of our chromosomes. So, it may help slow down cellular aging.

6. Improves Focus and Attention
Experience improved sustained attention and cognitive control as you practice mindfulness. Even just a few minutes each day has shown improvement in focus, while preventing mind-wandering.

7. Helps Manage Chronic Pain
Brain scans of meditators show reduced activity in pain processing areas of the brain. This ability to reduce how we perceive pain can be very beneficial if you suffer from chronic pain.

8. Enhances Creativity
Meditation can help break through fixed thinking patterns and encourage divergent thinking, the foundation of creativity.

9. Gives You a Better Understanding of Yourself
Some forms of meditation support a strong understanding of yourself, leading to increased emotional intelligence and self-compassion.

10. Provides Emotional Balance
Meditation can support long-term emotional stability and resilience by managing reactivity and balancing emotion.

Also Read: Surya Namaskar: Top 7 science based benefits you can ecperience daily

As you see, just a little time — 10 to 15 minutes a day — can create a long-lasting benefits to us physically, mentally and emotionally. Since there is science to the claim, it is not a fad; it is an important part of wellness for life.

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