Why are people meditating?
Mindfulness Research Links
NIH
National Institutes of Health,
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
nccih.nih.gov
“Meditation and Mindfulness: What You Need To Know”
“Studies suggest that focusing on the present can have a positive impact on health and well-being. Mindfulness-based treatments have been shown to reduce anxiety and depression. There’s also evidence that mindfulness can lower blood pressure and improve sleep. It may even help people cope with pain.”
“Mental Health: 10 health benefits of meditation and how to focus on mindfulness.”
Research has documented many health benefits of regular meditation practice.
Here are 10 of them:
University of California, Davis
...
10 reasons to meditate
1. Reduced stress:
Meditation may decrease stress. It can also improve symptoms of stress-related conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and fibromyalgia.
2. Improved memory:
Better focus through regular meditation may increase memory and mental clarity. These benefits can help fight age-related memory loss and dementia.
3. Increased attention:
Meditation helps with attention span, allowing you to stay focused longer.
4. Enhanced willpower:
Meditation develops the mental discipline needed to avoid unhelpful habits.
5. Better sleep:
Meditation can shorten the time it takes to fall asleep and improve sleep quality.
6. Less pain:
Meditation can reduce pain and boost emotion regulation. Together with medical care, this may help treat chronic pain.
7. Lower blood pressure:
Blood pressure decreases during meditation and over time in people who meditate regularly. This can reduce strain on the heart and blood vessels and help prevent heart disease.
8. Less anxiety:
Regular meditation helps reduce anxiety. It can also help with mental health issues like social anxiety, fears and obsessive-compulsive behaviors.
9. Less depression:
Meditation can help reduce the occurrence of depression.
10. Greater compassion:
Meditation can help you better understand yourself, find your best self, and increase positive feelings and actions toward others.
The American Psychological Association
“Benefits for both clients and psychologists”
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