What are the Health Benefits of Meditation?
April 2, 2010 by Beatrice
Filed under Meditation
Meditation has many unexpected health benefits. Who knew that simply sitting in peaceful silence would have such a healing effect on the body? The body’s desire is to be in a state of homeostasis – in balance with everything running like clock work. The practice of meditation can help to get your mind and body in a state of harmony and balance. If you want the body’s state of health to change you must first change your state of mind.
Correct breathing is an important component of the meditation exercise and that goes quite a ways towards bringing the body into balance. Correct breathing brings more oxygen into the system and helps it to circulate throughout the entire body. Every system in the body needs oxygen.
The peace of mind and relaxation that is achieved during the practice of meditation also contributes to helping the body to achieve balance. The state of total relaxation of both the body and mind that is achieved during meditation allows the body to heal itself quickly. Taking our minds off of the chaotic circumstances of our lives for just a little while invites a tremendous amount of peace and well-being.
Some of the health benefits of meditation include:
• Improved concentration
• Increases energy
• Increased blood flow
• Normalizes blood pressure
• Reduces anxiety
• Decreases muscle tension
• Increases the production of serotonin, which improves mood
• Boosts immune system function
• Relieves allergies
When I first began the practice of meditation I had an experience that really surprised me. I had a very bad cold, and I hesitated to do the meditation that morning, but then I thought better of it and did in anyway. My nasal passages were so congested that I had to breathe completely through my mouth. When the meditation process was begun I became aware that my nasal passages were clearing up a little.
As I continued to meditate they cleared up even more to the point where I began breathing through my nose without even thinking about it. Then my entire body began to feel better. When the meditation time was done and I gave a good stretch and went back to my life in this world the cold was back just as it had been before I started the meditation exercise. There is a lesson in that experience that spurred me on to continue to meditate for years to come.
When in a calmed and meditative state it is possible for the practitioner to assess the entire body beginning with the top of the head and moving slowly down to the feet. This process can alert you to any problems that exist so that attention may be given to that particular issue.
When you have developed a daily meditation practice you may begin to notice that you feel calmer and more steady. You may feel less prone to emotional responses and your ability to focus and concentrate will be improved.
Soon you may begin to notice a marked difference in your demeanor and how you handle the circumstances of your life especially on the days when you don’t meditate.
Do you have a regular meditation practice? Please feel free to share if it has had a positive effect on your health or well-being.
Thanks a lot for the post!