Meditation reduces stress anxiety and depression. When we meditate, the brain and nervous system under go radical changes that cause the reduction and prevention of these conditions.

Meditation increases stress resilience. When we are able to switch off the sympathetic nervous system which is responsible for the fight or flight response and trigger the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the relaxation response, on a regular basis , we are training our bodies to learn how to rapidly recover from the stress response. Over time the brain learns how to stabilise the Autonomic nervous system in everyday life with have to switch into fight or flight when faced with challenges and demands.

Meditation Increases positive emotions. There are a few reasons why this happens. The simplest reason is the reduction on stress. When we reduce the stress in our system we return to our natural state, which is to feel calm, connected to ourselves and confident to meet the challenges of life. When we experience this it feels good!

Meditation increases focus and present moment awareness. When we meditate, we stimulate the pre-frontal cortex. This is the front of the brain that is responsible for concentration focus and problem solving among many other important functions.

Meditation increases emotional stability and intelligence. When we meditation regularly, and reduce our stress levels, our hormones balance out and feel less reactive, less defensive and more equanimous more of the time.

Meditation increases your capacity to learn. By stimulating the pre-frontal cortex, we are also awakening the brain’s learning centre. More brain volume = more brain power.

Meditation increases empathy and compassion. These 2 are such games changers in our world and  scientific studies reveal that our ability to be compassionate and empathetic are really a brain game. Regular meditation, rewires the brain and increase our ability to be able to consider the feelings and needs of others and how we may be able to be of service.

Meditation increases a sense of connection to yourself and others. The more you meditate he more you become aware of who you are. When we allow the mind to go beyond the level of thinking we get stuck in day to day and experience deeper, more expansive states of ourselves, this experience informs us of our deeper subtle nature. After a short while, we experience a quieter, calmer and stronger sense of who we are. Our relationships become deeper and more meaningful based on that simple principle, ‘the more you know yourself the more you can know another.

Meditation increases sense of purpose and meaning. The more you meditate the more you become what you like and don’t like, what you are passionate about and what you aren’t. Regular meditation gives rise to clarity about what is important in life and a sense of confidence to make choices that enliven your passions and dissolve distractions. Life takes on greater meaning and you feel a deeper sense of purpose.

Meditation improves sociability. Taking time out for yourself is really important but for us to live a full rich life, we need meaningful connections with others. Nervousness, anxiety and feeling down or disorientated in ourselves plays a big role in us not wanting to hang out with people sometimes. Meditation increases our ability to get out there and connect with others as a result of feeling more connected to ourselves and clearer about what is happening inside us.

 

Article by Jonni Pollard – Meditation Master and Co-founder of 1 Giant Mind

 

W: www.1giantmind.org

T: @1giantmind

I: @1giantmind #1giantmind

F: www.facebook.com/1giantmind

V: www.vimeo.com/1giantmind

E:

 

 1 Giant Mind (1GM) is a free, 12-step learn-to-meditate app aimed at addressing the stress epidemic and supporting users to live happier, less stressed and more energetic lives. Understanding the severity of the issues of mental illness we face today, the local not-for-profit brings its 1 Giant Mind meditation technique into the palm of our hands, allowing everyone access to the learning, tools and guidance required to combat mental illness.