Meditation has been used in many cultures and religions to boost attention, concentration, expansion of consciousness and calmness.
More and more also the effects of meditation on human health are recognized. It is scientifically proven that meditation changes brain waves in a positive way, decreases the activity of human metabolism, heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and muscle tension, which therefore improves the condition of body and mind.
Meditation on a regular basis increases relaxation of body and mind as well as the recovery of the body and has a similar effect as the first stage of sleep when you process mentally your daily activities and thoughts. In this way your body will need less sleep to fully recover. This activates the regeneration of body and mind, decreases the perception of pain, increases the release of endorphins and in the end decreases stress and advances inner calmness.
Further it is a fact that in a long-term view meditation has a lasting effect on body and mind which are measurable even if you are not meditating. This means that meditation has not only a huge benefit during meditation but serves also as method for lifelong health prevention.
Meditation: Does It Help Against Anxiety and Depression?
Meditation is one of those techniques practiced by many to relax and become stress-free. Does it really help relieve anxiety and depression? The answer is yes. Here are the reasons why meditation is a big help for those who suffer from anxiety and depression:
Boosts neurotransmitters
Similar to the functions of some medications for anxiety and depression, meditation can also boost your neurotransmitters.Note that those with depression have low levels of serotonin and norepinephrine, causing their overwhelming sadness and depression.
By taking anti-depressants, you can stimulate the production of the two mentioned brain chemicals, but meditation can also do the same thing. Meditation can even raise these chemicals to depression-resistant levels naturally, preventing unwanted side effects.
Turns off the part of the brain responsible for anxiety and depression
Harvard neuroscientists examined the brains of meditation practitioners before. After 8 weeks of practicing mindfulness meditation, they discovered that their amygdalae, the cause of human’s fight-or-flight response, have shrunk in size considerably.
They have become significantly less active than before. It shows that meditation can actually switch off the part of the brain that causes depression.
Helps recognize negative thoughts and stop them from snowballing
Someone who practices meditation knows how to identify the early signs of anxiety and depression. They can even identify triggers, making it possible for them to deal with them before they get the chance to get more serious. You can see the signs from a mile away so you can further yourself from them even more.
Stops overthinking dead in its tracks
Scientists believe that the average normal human brain processes around 50,000 thoughts per day, but someone with anxiety and/or depression will have at least a dozen or more times that number.
If you are depressed and anxious, then your mind will most likely be constantly bombarded by numerous negative thoughts at a time. Being in that situation can be extremely draining.
Through meditation, you will become more aware of your negative thoughts. This awareness makes overthinking less frequent. Your negative thoughts will also start holding considerably less weight.
Makes you feel whole again
Whether you admit to it or not, modern man has an uncontrollable habit of pursuing material and superficial things. It is because they have the false pretense that they do not have enough. This feeling that you are lacking in anything can make you feel incomplete. You can avoid that through regular meditation sessions.
With the aid of meditation, you will be taught that scarcity thinking is flawed. It will also redirect your focus onto the things that truly matter. With that, you can prevent any negative thoughts or other depression or anxiety triggers from ruining your life. Meditation is, therefore, one of the best weapons to fight against anxiety and depression.
