14 Benefits Of Meditation To Improve Focus, Reduce Stress, And Treat Depression, In 2020

What are the benefits of meditation?

Most of us when we hear the word of meditation, mental relaxation, and peace cross our minds. Yes! Relaxation is the first and perhaps the most ideal positive consequence of meditation in a person. However, the benefits of meditation aren't limited, and its positive effect can be in various fields from physical and mental health to improving daily, professional and educational activities. 

In this article, We want to talk about the extraordinary benefits of meditation for the health of the soul and body. Benefits of meditation for improving life. Stay with us. 

1. Treat depression

Some types of meditation change a person's outlook in life and create a positive attitude that will lead to optimism and reduce the symptoms of depression. The results of the two studies have shown that meditation techniques help improve mood and treat depression by reducing the level of cytokines in the body. It should be noted the cytokines are inflammatory chemicals that are released in response to stress factors in the body. Some believe that the positive effects of meditation on reducing depressive symptoms can be equated with the effectiveness of antidepressants  

2. Reduce stress

Stress is one of the main reasons why people are attracted to meditation. Normally, mental and physical stress increases the release of the stress hormone cortisol in the body. Excessive cortisol, in return, raise the level of cytokines that disrupt sleep, increase depression and anxiety, and raise blood pressure. It raises the feeling of tiredness in the person. 

Meditation, meanwhile, reduces the body's inflammatory response to stress and help treat irritable bowel syndrome caused by stress, post-traumatic stress disorder, and fibromyalgia - a type of musculoskeletal pain syndrome. 

3. Control anxiety 

Less stress will lead to less anxiety.

The use of meditation techniques help reduce the symptoms of anxiety disorders such as phobias and fears, social anxiety, paranoid thoughts obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and panic attacks. 

Studies have shown that different types of meditation are effective in reducing anxiety and have a good effect on controlling job-related anxiety in high-pressure work environments. 

4. Increase self-awareness

Some form of meditation creates a strong understanding of ourselves and help us become better. For example, the purpose of meditation to ask myself " who am i"? Achieving a better understanding of yourself and improving relationships with others. 

Some types of meditation also allow us to recognize our harmful thoughts and habits of thought and direct them to more consecutive patterns.

5. Increase attention and focus

Meditation helps focus, change direction, and control our station. Research has shown that people who meditate regularly are more successful in activities that require long-term focus and are better at remembering the details of their work than ordinary people. 

Meditation also relieves confusion and mental anxieties by reversing certain mental patterns. The good news is that short-term meditation - even for four days will have a great effect on improving one's concentration, according to studies. 

6. Self-esteem and lack of loneliness

Meditation increases your self-esteem and it seems that people who meditate regularly suffer less from loneliness than others. According to one study, just 40 minutes of meditation a day, not only reduce the feeling of loneliness but also reduces the risk of heart disease, depression, and premature death.

7. Arousing positive emotions and altruism 

Some types of meditation seem to have a positive effect on people's altruism and make them kinder to themselves and others. For example, meta-meditation is also known as the meditation of kindness and love. It begins by stimulating affectionate feelings for oneself and gradually people learn to show this kindness and forgiveness to themselves - first to your friends, acquaintances, and finally to transform your enemies. 

Studies have discovered that these positive emotions help reduce social anxiety, marital discord, anger management and reduce social isolation 

8. Prevent memory loss due to aging

By improving attention and mental clarity, meditation helps keep the mind young and prevents memory loss due to aging. Cretan Crea, for example, is a form of mediation that combines certain sounds on mantras with repetitive finger movements to focus on thinking. Studies suggest improving the ability of mental activity in people with memory loss due to aging. 

Meditation helps people with dementia improve memory and is also helpful in reducing stress in family members. 

9. Improve sleep quality

Research has shown the people who meditate regularly. can control their minds under any pressure. The proper guidance of their thoughts, usually sleep more easily than others and are less likely to suffer from insomnia. Meditation also reduces stress, relaxes the body, and relieves mental stress, all of which will have a positive effect on sleep quality.

10. Relieve pain

It's interesting to note that the degree of pain sensation is closely related to people's mental state and may increase stressful situations. Meditation, on the other hand, helps relieve pain by improving mental states and reducing stress. According to the results of studies, the activity of pain control in the brain in people who meditate regularly is higher than others. They are less sensitive. Meditation is also effective in reducing chronic pain in people with severe and incurable diseases. 

11. Reduce high blood pressure

By reducing stress and calming the nerve signals that regulate heart function and blood pressure, meditation helps reduce high blood pressure, especially in stressful situations, and protects heart health. 

It should be noted that high blood pressure over time makes it harder to pump blood through the heart, weakens the heart, and increases the risk of atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke. 

12. Prevention of inflammatory diseases

In one study, meditation helped reduced the body's inflammatory symptoms and reduced the risk of inflammatory diseases such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel diseases. On the other hand, stress is one of the most important causes of inflammation and diseases such as psoriasis, and reducing stress through meditation is a great way to reduce the symptoms of this disease. 

13. Quit addiction 

The mental order created in meditation increases self-control and awareness of the aggravators of addictive behaviors in individuals and helps to reduce any dependence and addiction. Meditation also increases willpower and motivation. It helps to control emotions and understand the factors influencing addictive behaviors, so it's known as a good way to quit drug addiction, smoking, alcohol, and other bad habits. 

14. The benefits of meditation for pregnant women

According to studies, yoga and meditation exercises help reduce the symptoms of depression during pregnancy. Mediation is also helpful in reducing the common stresses of pregnancy, improving sleep and reducing the fear of childbirth.

Now if you aren't doing it. we highly recommend you to experience and you won't regret it.