Not convinced meditation can help you? Here are some interesting – and scientific facts about meditation and how it works wonders for your mind, body and spirit.
Meditation Strengthens the Brain
There are very few things in life that can alter the brain, and meditation is one of them. Neuroscientists discovered in one study that meditation helps strengthen the brain. But how, you ask? It’s believed the process reinforces the connections between brain cells, which leads healthy growth in the brain. The new growth has shown to allow the brain to retain and process information faster.
Meditation Reduces Your Sensitivity to Pain
The good 'ol science doesn’t end there either. Another study showed that meditation contributes to the thickness of your cortical, which essentially decreases your sensitivity to pain.
Meditation Decreases Undesirable Brain Functions Associated with Mental Illnesses
In one study, neuroscientists found that meditation has the ability to decrease undesirable brain functions often associated with mental illnesses such as anxiety, ADHD and even Alzheimer’s.
Long-Term Meditation Increases Gray Matter Density in the Brain Stem
When we first came across this scientific proof that meditation is powerful, we thought gray matter-what? So, allow us to explain. The gray matter is a huge player in your central nervous system. Meditation has been linked to increasing the volume of gray matter, which essentially contributes to more positive emotions, better emotional stability and more mindful behavior.
Meditation Helps Increase Feelings of Relaxation and Alertness
Another study linked dramatic changes in the electrical brain activity to meditation, specifically increasing Theta and Alpha EEG activity. In other words, meditation helps increase feelings of alertness, focus, attention and wakefulness.
Meditation Improves Cognitive, Emotional and Immune Responses
Neuroscientists used MRIs to complain both brains of people who meditate, and people who don’t. The differences were astounding.
In the brains of people who meditate, they found improved responses – cognitive, emotional and immune. They also speculate that the growth in the brain provides positive benefits for your cardiorespiratory control, or in other words, your breathing and heart rate.
Meditation Decreases Stress
One of the most common benefits of meditation is the ability to decrease stress, or rather, the way in which you respond to it. Neuroscientist found that regular meditation can significantly decrease stress in as little as eight weeks. So, with exams fast approaching, there’s no better time to get down on your mandala or yoga mat and meditate.
Need we say more? Meditation isn’t just some weird voodoo, yogi, hippie thing people do because they think it provides benefits. Science shows that it has many powerful and positive effects on the brain.