Meditation has been in existence for many years, however, within the last few decades, it has been realized that it is a very effective way of enhancing the mental health of an individual. Meditation has been practiced for many years and with the advancement of scientific research in the effects of meditation on the brain and body, more and more benefits are being discovered. In this article, we will look at what meditation is and how it can be beneficial for your mind.
The Neuroscience of Meditation
Meditation is a process which can be easily defined as the act of training your mind to focus on specific things, practices, or objects in order to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state. Research has also indicated that meditation can lead to the growth of gray matter in parts of the brain that are involved in learning, memory, emotional control, and the ability to change one’s point of view. This structural change indicates that the meditation could increase the cognitive functions and emotional stability.
Furthermore, it has been found that meditation enhances the activity of the prefrontal cortex that is the part of the brain that controls attention and decision making. Meditation helps you to focus your mind and make better decisions in your day to day life as you practice.
Stress Reduction and Relaxation
Among the most popular effects of meditation, stress relief and relaxation are considered to be the most significant. In meditation, the sympathetic nervous system that is associated with the ‘fight or flight’ response is inhibited and the parasympathetic nervous system that is associated with ‘rest and digest’ response is stimulated. This shift in balance results in the lowering of stress hormones such as cortisol and the increase in happy hormones such as serotonin and dopamine.
It also helps in reducing the blood pressure, the heart rate and the respiration rate showing that the body is in a relaxed state. Thus, through practicing stress management techniques such as meditation, people can be able to deal with life’s challenges in a better way and at the same time feel more relaxed.
Emotional Regulation and Mindfulness
Meditation helps in regulation of emotions because it helps the individual to be more aware of themselves and their environment. Over time, you gain the capacity to manage emotions without getting overwhelmed by them as you learn to watch your thoughts and feelings. This skill can be especially helpful for people who have anxiety, depression, or tendency to become easily emotional.
Research has also indicated that meditation has the potential of decreasing the activity in the amygdala that is the part of the brain that is involved in the processing of emotions. Meditation reduces activity of the amygdala and hence prevents one from acting on impulse and instead make rational decisions.
Improved Focus and Cognitive Flexibility
Meditation helps in increasing concentration and flexibility of the mind by making it capable to remain in the present and shift to another state. When meditating, you focus on your breath or a mantra and, with time, you are able to concentrate on other activities in your day to day life.
Also, meditation has been found to activate the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex that is involved with decision making and problem solving. Meditation can thus improve the cognitive flexibility of an individual and thus enable him or her to solve problems in a more efficient and creative manner.
Long Term Advantages to Mental Health
Regular meditation can help to bring about permanent change in the state of one’s mental health. Research has also indicated that meditation has the potential of lessening the symptoms of depression and anxiety and in some cases may be more helpful than drug therapy. It has also been linked with the improvement of one’s mental health, including having better coping mechanisms, emotional intelligence, and well-being.
Conclusion
The research on meditation is quite conclusive on the fact that it has the capability of enhancing the mental health of an individual. Meditation can be defined as a holistic treatment since it changes the structure and functioning of the brain, decreases stress, improves the management of emotions and boosts cognitive functions. With more people practicing meditation in their day to day lives, the effects of meditation on mental health are being appreciated. If you want to reduce stress, enhance concentration, or simply find inner harmony, meditation is an effective way to change your brain and your life.
