We live in a busy world with many demands on our time and energy. Modern life can often feel like chaos as we find ourselves living more in our heads and less in our bodies. And when challenges are thrown our way, it’s important that we have ways to support ourselves, which can then help to bring us back to balance.
Taking up a meditation practice is one of the simplest ways to support your mental health. People have been practising meditation for thousands of years, and its history is thought to be rooted in Eastern traditions. The main concept is bringing together the mind and the body, bringing the focus back to the present moment, and creating a sense of calm.
In this blog we’ll take a look at the different types of meditation, how meditation can help you to reduce stress, and the many benefits of meditation for mental health.
Regulating negative emotions
One of the best things about meditation is it is available to anyone. There have been many links between meditation and mental health. No matter where you find yourself emotionally, meditation and mindfulness can be a really useful way to manage and regulate the emotions you might be experiencing.
Meditation techniques, such as mindful meditation, focus on bringing your attention to the present moment and becoming an observer of how you are feeling. This helps you to notice the emotions you are experiencing, but without judging them.
It’s possible that regular meditation practice will not only alleviate symptoms of depression but may even boost positivity levels. As you strengthen your ability to focus on the present moment, you’ll find yourself being able to let negative emotions pass without holding onto or judging them.
Handling stress
When we experience stress, it can have a lasting impact on not only the physical body but the mind too. Stress can cause us to experience a rapid heart rate and has been linked to chronic pain, high blood pressure and even heart disease. In extreme cases, when people are unable to manage stress levels and restore balance to their lives, they may experience post-traumatic stress disorder.
If you’re experiencing stress, anxiety disorders or any other type of mental health issue, meditation can be a really effective way of bringing yourself back to the present and restoring balance within the mind and body.
One form of meditation particularly useful for stress management is transcendental meditation. This involves focusing on a mantra and repeating it silently. It is believed this helps your body to enter a state of complete calm, releasing stress and achieving inner peace.
Not only will any form of meditation help you to feel less overwhelmed when you face challenging situations, but it will help to build your resilience too. This is great preparation for any future challenges you may face, helping you to know that whatever crosses your path, you can handle it.
If you’re wondering where to begin, audio meditations can be a great starting point when it comes to including mindfulness and meditation in your day.
Improving focus and concentration
Meditation benefits for mental health have long been discussed, and this also includes improved focus and concentration for people who meditate. If you regularly find it difficult to maintain focus and concentration, taking up a meditation practice can see you experiencing improvements in these areas.
Studies have shown that brain scans of stressed individuals undertaking mindfulness training showed a noticeable difference in areas relating to attention. This research, and others like it, has led scientists and researchers to believe that mindfulness meditation not only improves focused attention and concentration but also improves the brain’s resilience and ability to manage stress.
Boosting self-esteem and self-awareness
There are so many reasons to take up meditation for mental health purposes. This also includes experiencing a boost in your self-esteem and overall well-being.
When you practice meditation, you learn to come back into your body instead of living so much in your thoughts. The more present you are able to become, the more you will learn to listen to yourself and raise your self-awareness.
When your self-esteem is higher, and you have a deeper understanding of who you are and what you want from life, you’ll automatically feel more empowered. Meditation practice grounds you in who you are, and this new-found awareness and zest for life will improve your self-esteem and mental health.
Affirmations can be especially helpful when it comes to increasing self-esteem and can also be used throughout your meditation practice.
Fighting addiction
Meditation can be particularly useful for those battling addictions. Because meditation practice helps you to feel more calm and present, it can be beneficial when dealing with stress relating to the root of the addiction itself. The tools learnt during meditation can help when triggers and relapses arise and can provide a solid foundation for tackling these moments.
Whilst not a complete method of recovery, meditation techniques such as focusing on the breath, sitting in the present moment, and developing an awareness of current thoughts, can all provide a holistic way to provide comfort and support.
Key takeaways
The great thing about meditation is it’s available to anyone. It can involve a quick 5-minute practice or a deeper delve into complete relaxation and inner peace. Taking up a practice will not only help you manage daily stresses but will leave you with greater self-awareness and clarity in your life.
Becoming more present will benefit your life, and meditation is a simple way to help you achieve this more often. Give meditation a go today and see just how much clearer and calmer you may feel.
