There’s a new study coming out about meditation almost every week touting its benefits, but
how does this ancient technique really work?
We need to look at a few physiological processes to understand why meditation is so great for
us.
First – when we meditate, there are changes in our brain wave patterns.
Depending upon our state – that is, if we are asleep or awake, the brain creates waves
based on its activity that can be measured on an EEG.
A simple 20-minute meditation session will start to transition the brain waves from Beta
or Alpha to a Theta State.
Meditation has also been known to slow the rate at which our heart’s pump blood, and
the rate we breathe.
These slowed states of physiological functioning are associated with a reduction in stress.
In brief, a fast heart-rate and quick, shallow breathing causes a cascade of stress-response
actions in our bodies, like pumping out more stress hormones like Cortisol.
Cortisol is linked with heart disease, depression, poor gut health and more.
So, meditation indirectly lowers stress, which makes us healthier.
The next thing that happens when we meditate, is that we stop running from the subconscious
thoughts that are secretly running our lives.
As we sit and focus on our breathing or consciously observe the thoughts that arise without judgement,
we can mindfully experience our deeply held emotions and beliefs.
Often we’re reacting to life instead of acting out of the present moment.
Meditation allows a small gap between the stress-response – that fight-or-flight mechanism
which causes us to fear every situation and react to it, instead of empowering us with
a feeling of strength and calm.
When was the last time you reacted to a stressful situation with a peaceful feeling that everything
would be o.k.?
Most of us simply run around trying to put out fires, or run from them as fast as we
can.
Meditation reduces our physiological stress so that we can handle mental and emotional
stress with more acumen.
Athletes train their muscles to perform better under stress.
You can think of meditation like training your mind.
The next time you get caught in traffic, you run late for an appointment, or someone does
something to hurt your feelings you’ll be able to act in the present moment instead
of reacting to stored fears and emotions lingering just below the surface.
You’ll be as strong in your mind as that champion boxer is in his body – only you
won’t need to fight.