Not only can meditation calm you and relieve stress or tension, it has also been shown to increase IQ, relieve symptoms of anxiety and promote higher levels of brain functioning.
According to a study conducted by Yale University Neuroscientists, meditation can change the brain by:
- Activating the prefrontal cortex of the brain, an area responsible for advanced thinking ability and performance.
- Changing brain waves leading to higher levels of alpha brain waves, which are generally associated with a state of wakeful relaxation. This can help reduce negative moods and feelings including anger, tension and sadness.
- Promoting physical changes in a participant’s brain, including areas that are connected to memory, self-awareness and perspective.
- Helping to reduce levels of depression and anxiety, along with helping people tolerate pain better
- Decreasing amounts of grey matter in parts of the amygdala, a brain area connected to fear and stress.
Meditation is not a cure-all, but there’s certainly a lot of evidence that it may do some good for those who practice it regularly. Why not try and work meditation into your day and see the benefits for yourself.
