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The Benefits of Meditation

By Deborah Kerslake

The brain waves of meditators show why they're healthier

Maybe meditation isn't so mysterious after all, neuroscientists have found that meditators shift their brain activity to different areas of the cortex—brain waves in the stress-prone right frontal cortex move to the calmer left frontal cortex. This mental shift decreases the negative effects of stress, mild depression and anxiety. There is also less activity in the amygdala, where the brain processes fear. Meditation can bring about dramatic effects in as little as a 10-minute session.
— Cary Barbor

To explore exactly what part of the brain meditation acts on, researchers at Harvard Medical School used MRI technology on participants to monitor brain activity while they meditated. They found that it activates the sections of the brain in charge of the autonomic nervous system, which governs the functions in our bodies that we can't control, such as digestion, reproductive system and blood pressure. These are also the functions that are often compromised by stress. It makes sense, then, that modulating these functions would help to ward off stress-related conditions such as heart disease, digestive problems and infertility.

Stress only becomes important in our life when it outweighs our capacity to cope.

Re-framing your internal self talk is essential in learning to cope with stress as low self-esteem and the feeling of being out of control are major factors for people who experience the mental, emotional and physical symptoms of unremitting stress.

So to protect yourself from stress (and that negative internal chatter) you need to learn how to keep on top of it and turn it into a positive force in your life by training your mind in how to deal effectively with your thoughts through meditative practice.

Could stress be to blame for your health problems?

Alongside hormones and viruses, it's one of the most common reasons suggested for unexplained symptoms. In the past stress has often been dismissed as irrelevant but now scientists are discovering that it can do very real damage. Some suggest it may even, harm vital brain function leaving you vulnerable to mental illness like anxiety states, panic attacks and depression.

Production in the brain of many vital neurochemicals during meditation has been proven to slow aging and keep the body young, alive, calm and fully functioning. It has also been shown that meditation increases motivation, confidence creativity and problem solving
— Deepak Chropra

Meditation brings wisdom; lack of mediation leaves ignorance. Know well what leads you forward and what hold you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom.
— Buddha (Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, 563-483 BC)

Stress is a part of our lives, it helps us in many ways, but we need to learn how to manage the symptoms especially when the pressure is on for a long period of time.

Meditation is one of the finest, fastest and easiest ways to train you to remain calm, relaxed and balanced in times of high pressure. Contact me today. I run group meditation within companies for your employees health and private classes.