By: Amanda Froelich,
How many times have you heard ‘meditation is good for you!’, yet you resist the actual act of sitting in silence because the mind is too great a foe to face? You’re not alone if the word ‘meditation’ strikes more fear than chords of peace, but by changing the way you think about it, perhaps it will become easier to devote at least 5 minutes per day towards contemplative reflection.
Whatever your religion, spiritual beliefs, or hectic schedule looks like, there is always time to nurture yourself a bit; this is exactly what meditation is, and the following benefits prove it!
Instead of dreading the ‘quiet time’, look forward to all the amazing benefits you can receive just by choosing to be good to yourself while letting the busy world fade away…
Psychological Benefits
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Builds self-confidence
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Increases Serotonin levels
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Resolves phobias and fears
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Helps control own thoughts
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Helps with focus and concentration
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Increases creativity
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Increased brain wave coherence
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Improves learning ability and memory
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Increased feelings of vitality and rejuvenation
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Increased emotional stability
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Improves relationships
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Mind ages at a slower rate
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Develops Intuition
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Improves relations at home & work
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Able to see the larger picture in a given situation
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Develop will power
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Develops emotional maturity
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Grows a stable, more balanced personality
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Greater tolerance
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Gives composure to act in a considered & constructive way
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Need less sleep to recover from sleep deprivation
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Decreased tendency to worry
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Helps make more accurate judgments
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Decrease in restless thinking
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Require less time to fall asleep, beneficial for insomnia
Physiological Benefits
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It lowers oxygen consumption rate
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Decreases respiratory rate
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Increases blood flow and slows the heart
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Increases exercise tolerance
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Leads to a deeper level of physical relaxation
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Good for people with high blood pressure
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Reduces anxiety attacks by lowering the levels of blood lactate
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Enhances the immune system
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Helps in chronic diseases such as arthritis, allergies, etc…
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Helps in post-operative healing
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Decreases muscle tension
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Reduces pre-menstrual symptoms
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Reduces activity of viruses and emotional distress
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Drop in cholesterol levels, lowering risk of cardiovascular disease
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Helps with weight loss
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Higher skin resistance
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Improved flow of air to lungs, resulting in easier breathing
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Higher levels of DHEAS (Dehydroepiandrosterone)
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Cure headaches and migraines
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More inclined to sports, activities
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Harmonize your endocrine system
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Reduced need for medical care
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Greater orderliness of brain functioning
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Relaxes the nervous system
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Heals infertility (the stress of infertility can interfere with the release of hormones that regulate ovulation)
Spiritual Benefits
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Helps keep things in perspective
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Provides peace of mind
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Helps you discover your purpose
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Increased compassion
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Growing wisdom
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Increases self-actualization
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Deeper understanding of yourself and others
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Brings body, mind, and spirit into harmony
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Helps learn forgiveness
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Changes attitude towards life
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Helps one live in the present
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Creates a widening, deepening capacity for love
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Increases the synchronicity in life
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Allows the experience of ‘One-ness’
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Attain enlightenment
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Increases acceptance of oneself
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Discovery of the power and consciousness beyond the ego
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Deeper level of spiritual relaxation
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Creates a deeper relationship with God
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Greater inner-directedness
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Allows the inner sense of “Assurance” and “Knowledge”
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Reduces pattern of judgment
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Allows one to ‘let go’
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Opens one to limit-less belief
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Shifts one to being happier with simplicity, nature, and the self
If these benefits inspire you, consider printing the various gifts meditation offers and leave it in a place you’re likely to see every day for further inspiration. The art of meditation is not only free, it requires no equipment, is not time consuming (15-20 minutes per day), and has no negative side effects.
The only individual you are around your entire existence is yourself, so why not begin to gain a better relationship with the beautiful existence you are and reap the physical benefits! Meditation allows one to break away from the limited thinking of human existence and experience your true potential, so consider starting today!
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