Some folks still think meditation is the province of free spirits who like dozing off on a braided grass mat somewhere when the subject of mindfulness is brought up. 

But the truth is that mindfulness and awareness meditation is not woo-woo. These profoundly transformative techniques have been known for ages, and almost all spiritual paths incorporate some variation.

The world of today is demanding; let's face it. We are more anxious and under more strain than ever because of our constant connectivity to the workplace and our constant digital overload at home. 

Because of this, our stress response—one of our natural physiological mechanisms that should only be activated in dire circumstances—is constantly engaged. Not by lions and tigers but by gridlock, public speaking, overwhelming workloads, and interpersonal and financial difficulties.

Some of the Facts You May Not Know About Meditation

We spend an excessive amount of time in that stressful stage. It can take up to an hour for our body to return to normal once the threat of stress is alleviated. Health effects include anxiety, lowered immunity, digestive issues, headaches, high blood pressure, disturbed sleep, weariness, and burnout.

Despite having Buddhist origins, non-secular mindfulness meditation is now practiced by individuals of various ages and religions. You might wonder, "But why should I meditate?" despite meditation's astounding popularity. I have included some fascinating facts about meditation below to start answering this (justifiable) inquiry.

Meditation Improves Your Mood

People who meditate generally live better lives than those who don't. It is well known that meditation improves the flow of happy emotions and helpful thoughts. Regularly meditating for even a few minutes can have a significant impact. 

Scientific research was done on a group of Buddhist monks while meditating, which supports this assertion. The brain region associated with happiness, the pre-frontal cortex, was shown to be particularly active in monks.

You Can Control Your Anxiety, Stress, and Depression Through Meditation

It's important to recognize meditation's power to transform. The University of Wisconsin conducted studies demonstrating meditation's physiological benefits on the brain. For instance, studies have shown that regular meditation causes the area of the brain that controls stress and anxiety to shrink. 

Meditation practitioners teach the mind to remain calm even in difficult conditions by concentrating on moment-by-moment experiences. They also feel substantially less anxious about the future, related to the previous point.

You Don’t Have to Be Religious to Meditate

Everyone can benefit from meditation, according to the founders of Mindworks Meditation. Beyond dogma, it is about cultivating composure, honing awareness through excellent online courses, and clearing the mind. 

Although meditation is a common form of contemplation, it is not necessary to follow a particular faith to practice it. For the one in five Americans who identify as "spiritual but not religious," this is wonderful news!

The Advantages of Meditation Are Virtually Immediate

Another excellent motivation to meditate is the wealth of health advantages it brings. Certain advantages can become apparent quite soon as people begin to sit. 

Even if the feeling is transient and mild, it's typical to feel at ease and peace. A reduction in implicit age and race bias is one of the six scientifically confirmed benefits listed by attorney Jeena Cho in an online article by Forbes.

Some people worry that because their thoughts seem more active than ever, meditation has the opposite impact. Keep at it and keep your sessions brief, is our advice.

The goal of meditation is to be conscious of what appears in your mind, not to empty it. And you're already ahead of the game since you're aware of how active the mind can be.

Conclusion

Meditation not only makes you happier and feel better overall, but it also keeps your memory clear and your focus firm. You practice remaining non-judgmental in the present moment by practicing mindfulness meditation. As a result, you are less and less prone to be carried away by distractions. One additional argument in favor of meditation.

We doubt you still require persuasion after reading the six facts and examples about meditation we've provided above. Our Mindworks free online meditation course offers coaching, guided meditations, tips, and inspiration to help you get started and continue on your mindful path.