People find it difficult to meditate, mainly because they force the mind to be absolutely still. The idea behind successful meditation, however, is more about letting go of resistance to whatever arises. It is focuses on surrendering emotions, problems, mind, and soul.
While the idea of meditation seems scary, it is actually impossible to fail at this practice. There is no special technique, and you can experiment with different types of mediation. All you need to do is find one that works for you and stick to it. You can just sit on the floor or chair, try tai chi, repeat mantra, or attend meditation classes.
If you manage to find the right method, you can reap rewards. You will not just feel peace, but you can also improve concentration and overall psychological wellbeing. Your brain will benefit the most, enhancing your capacity to understand other people or perceive things differently. Wellness and Artisan Studio shares how meditation changes your brain.
Less Brain Decline
According to a recent study published in Frontiers, people who meditate often had better preserved brain than non-meditators. The study notes that those who have been meditating for at least 20 years had more grey matter volume or less age related grey matter atrophy. This only means that practicing meditation for the long term can preserve the aging brain.
Mind Wandering No More
Another study conducted at the Yale University also notes that meditation helps decrease the activity in the default mode network (DMN). This is the part of the brain responsible for mind wandering. As this habit is associated with being less happy and worrying about things, it is important to turn it down. Meditation can help at this, helping you snap back out of wandering, even when your brain starts to do so.
Depression and Anxiety Help
Meditation can reduce symptom of pain, anxiety and depression, according to a team of researchers at John Hopkins University. It works by actively training the mind to increase awareness, which can help manage the symptoms of depression. Some studies also note that it can help with addiction, because of its effects on the brain’s self-control regions.
These are just a few of ways meditation can change your brain. Take a moment to engage in this practice and see how it can benefit your overall wellbeing.