Over the past few years, I’ve been noticing a major change in my frame of mind every time I become swamped with tasks. As the tasks pile up, the pressure becomes so strong that I automatically switch to hostile mode the moment I notice a disruption. This negativity in me has often become a hindrance to my productiveness at work and my well-being in general.
In times like these, which is becoming more frequent by the way, I’ve always wanted to be in control. I know I can’t control everything around me, but I can surely handle myself. It’s easier said than done, but meditation has helped me a lot. By reading further into this article, I hope you become motivated to try it out too.
For the uninitiated, meditation is a practice that allows you to relax and focus on the present moment using your mind. The goal is to become consciously aware of your mind and body. In other words, it is focused thinking. It also turns your attention away from things that are distracting.
This practice has been in existence since the ancient times. Old religions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism, introduced meditation to the Western world. Today, it is used all over the world. It doesn’t matter which religion you belong to (or if you have no religion at all).
Neuroscience has proven that meditation can benefit both the body and mind. It isn’t just for hippies anymore. As scientists have found out, it’s for everyone who wants to be happy and healthy.
Here are 5 things that meditation can do for you:
- Makes you optimistic
- Makes you resilient in hard times
- Lowers your stress level
- Decreases pain
- Improves self-control
Meditation Promotes Optimism
A 2003 study published in American Psychosomatic Society suggested that meditation has a positive effect on one’s emotions. This effect also helps boost the immune system. There are also other studies with similar results.
Being positive is very important in high pressure work environments. It helps you deal with problems calmly.
Meditation Fosters Resilience
Here’s an intriguing scenario: You have a promising career ahead of you. You’re living the life! Out of the blue, you’ve met an accident, and doctors told you that you are confined to bed for life.
Being bedridden is easily anyone’s worst nightmare. Through meditation, you’ll build resilience. Through resilience, you’ll realize that all is not lost and that even in bed, there are many productive things that can be done (especially in the digital age). Here’s an insight from Neuroscientist Richard Davidson.
Meditation Helps Reduce Stress
Several scientific studies have shown that meditation can help reduce stress. Stress-related conditions are prevalent in employees with irregular work hours. Tardiness and the fear of losing one’s job often come up as the top reasons. Through meditation, these worries become just a thought. As you keep on practicing, these negative thoughts will eventually be replaced by positive ones.
Meditation Relieves Pain
A study published in the National Institutes of Health website showed that meditation can influence how we perceive pain. It found that focusing on breathing can effectively reduce the experience of pain. It also suggested that meditation can have beneficial effects after just 4 days of training (20 minutes per day).
Meditation Enhances Your Self-Control
If there was ever a time in your life where you suddenly became enraged, then meditation can help you control that extreme emotion. Because meditation helps you improve your focus, you also become more attentive to yourself. In turn, this helps you control your behavior in stressful situations.
Meditation isn’t a one time thing. It’s a lifelong practice. The more you do it, the better you become at it. Try it. It might just be what you are looking for all these years.