Benefits of a Mindfulness Practice
Mindfulness is rooted in ancient wisdom practice and over time has found its place in secular Western society. This time tested practice, now being backed by current medical science, is being recognized as a benefit in many areas of our modern culture. For example, mindfulness is being used in healthcare as a tool for becoming a more integrated partner in your own health. It is also being utilized in the military as a way to teach an increase attention and focus, while decreasing stress and anxiety for those on active tour, as well as a method for treating PTSD for veterans returning home. Mindfulness programs are being created in school systems as a way of cultivating social and emotional development for kids. And mindfulness is being practiced by many major US companies; it is recognized that when practicing mindfulness and allowing time in the day to slow down and connect with yourself, your productivity actually improves, as well as your morale. Additionally there are many benefits that mindfulness has on our brain. Mindfulness and meditation is often cited as one of the major ways to live a longer, happier life. Studies show that after practicing mindfulness, people experience more calm and contentment, and a reduction in stress and anxiety. And by focusing on gratitude, we actually have the ability to rewire our brains towards happiness. Overall benefits of cultivating and maintaining a mindfulness practice include:
Mindfulness is rooted in ancient wisdom practice and over time has found its place in secular Western society. This time tested practice, now being backed by current medical science, is being recognized as a benefit in many areas of our modern culture. For example, mindfulness is being used in healthcare as a tool for becoming a more integrated partner in your own health. It is also being utilized in the military as a way to teach an increase attention and focus, while decreasing stress and anxiety for those on active tour, as well as a method for treating PTSD for veterans returning home. Mindfulness programs are being created in school systems as a way of cultivating social and emotional development for kids. And mindfulness is being practiced by many major US companies; it is recognized that when practicing mindfulness and allowing time in the day to slow down and connect with yourself, your productivity actually improves, as well as your morale. Additionally there are many benefits that mindfulness has on our brain. Mindfulness and meditation is often cited as one of the major ways to live a longer, happier life. Studies show that after practicing mindfulness, people experience more calm and contentment, and a reduction in stress and anxiety. And by focusing on gratitude, we actually have the ability to rewire our brains towards happiness. Overall benefits of cultivating and maintaining a mindfulness practice include:
- decrease in anxiety, stress and depression
- increase in feelings of peace, calm, joy and contentment
- higher levels of happiness
- increased mind/body connection
- reduction of physical medical symptoms and diagnoses
- lower blood pressure
- improved executive functioning
- easier ability to fall and stay asleep
- increase in decision making
- improvements in quality of relationships
- lower bullying instances in school settings
- higher test scores for students
Why Should I Meditate? Motivation for Teens
Feel Accepted - Part of feeling like you are “in” with a group is knowing how to read social cues and respond appropriately. Studies have shown that mindfulness meditation boosts activity in the prefrontal lobe area of the brain. One of the many functions of this area of the brain is the ability to communicate well. Through a regular meditation practice, you will be able to communicate better with your peers as well as the adults in your life, allowing you to understand and be understood.
Feel in Control of your Future - If you feel overwhelmed by school, work, social pressures and planning your future, you are not alone. When you feel overwhelmed by too many tasks your brain sends a message to your body that you are in physical danger. You might feel like you need to leave the situation physically by taking off, or mentally by using a substance to alter you mood. Neither option really fixes the the situation. Mindfulness meditation can help you regain control and allow you to make better decisions. Try this now: Take a deep inhale, counting in to four, and an even longer exhale counting out to six. It only takes a few rounds of this breathing technique for your brain to get the message that everything is okay.
Feel Safe - Once you feel safe and in control, you will be able to consistently make better decisions. These decisions will have a cumulative affect on the ease of your day-to-day life. Practicing the above breathing exercise on a regular basis also has cumulative benefits. Practice mindfulness every day for just five minutes a day. Make it as routine as brushing your teeth. You will find it becomes an automatic part of your day, and you will spend less time stressing out!
Feel like you can manage your mood - losing control of yourself, yelling at a friend or family member never feels good. Unfortunately this kind of reaction can be a bad habit. Every time you lose your temper, you get better at it, because the area of the brain responsible for angry reactions gets stronger. Luckily the opposite it true. You can get better at responding to situations in a cool, calm way, by practicing mindfulness. Itʼs like building a muscle. Which muscle do you want to strengthen, your rage muscle or your “chill” muscle. What kind of friends would you choose, rage friends or chill friends?
Be your own best friend - The same area of the brain, the prefrontal lobe, that is exercised during mindfulness, is responsible for positive emotions like compassion. Compassion is the ability to feel care, concern, and kindness. Compassion toward yourself is just as important as feeling compassion toward others. Mindfulness meditation can help you develop a friendship with yourself. It might be the most important friend you ever make!
Feel Accepted - Part of feeling like you are “in” with a group is knowing how to read social cues and respond appropriately. Studies have shown that mindfulness meditation boosts activity in the prefrontal lobe area of the brain. One of the many functions of this area of the brain is the ability to communicate well. Through a regular meditation practice, you will be able to communicate better with your peers as well as the adults in your life, allowing you to understand and be understood.
Feel in Control of your Future - If you feel overwhelmed by school, work, social pressures and planning your future, you are not alone. When you feel overwhelmed by too many tasks your brain sends a message to your body that you are in physical danger. You might feel like you need to leave the situation physically by taking off, or mentally by using a substance to alter you mood. Neither option really fixes the the situation. Mindfulness meditation can help you regain control and allow you to make better decisions. Try this now: Take a deep inhale, counting in to four, and an even longer exhale counting out to six. It only takes a few rounds of this breathing technique for your brain to get the message that everything is okay.
Feel Safe - Once you feel safe and in control, you will be able to consistently make better decisions. These decisions will have a cumulative affect on the ease of your day-to-day life. Practicing the above breathing exercise on a regular basis also has cumulative benefits. Practice mindfulness every day for just five minutes a day. Make it as routine as brushing your teeth. You will find it becomes an automatic part of your day, and you will spend less time stressing out!
Feel like you can manage your mood - losing control of yourself, yelling at a friend or family member never feels good. Unfortunately this kind of reaction can be a bad habit. Every time you lose your temper, you get better at it, because the area of the brain responsible for angry reactions gets stronger. Luckily the opposite it true. You can get better at responding to situations in a cool, calm way, by practicing mindfulness. Itʼs like building a muscle. Which muscle do you want to strengthen, your rage muscle or your “chill” muscle. What kind of friends would you choose, rage friends or chill friends?
Be your own best friend - The same area of the brain, the prefrontal lobe, that is exercised during mindfulness, is responsible for positive emotions like compassion. Compassion is the ability to feel care, concern, and kindness. Compassion toward yourself is just as important as feeling compassion toward others. Mindfulness meditation can help you develop a friendship with yourself. It might be the most important friend you ever make!