The Beginners Guide to Meditation
Mental Health Benefits of Meditation
Connection with the now and live in the present moment, at the expense of ruminating on the past or worrying about the future.
Improvements in how you deal with stress, at work, and at home.
Reduced feelings of anxiety (owing in part to reduced heart rate and respiration rate). Sufferers of PTSD report similar benefits.
Enhanced ability to concentrate on what you want to focus on, dismissing racing or unproductive thoughts.
Proven improvements in depression symptoms. In fact, meditation has been shown to be just as effective as medication when it comes to treating standard depression.
Heightened emotional intelligence. This means that you can better identify what you're feeling, accept it, and regulate it as needed.
Relationship benefits, such as being more thoughtful and patient when in conflict with your partner.
The potential to overcome fears and phobias, including life-limiting fears (e.g. fear of flying, or fear of open spaces).
Increased self-knowledge. This is partly because you spend more time on self-reflection, and partly because of meditation involves honestly tuning in to who you are and what you feel.
by KATHERINE HURST