Benefits of Meditation and Mindfulness

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What are mindfulness and meditation?
According to Mindful.org, mindfulness refers to when “the mind is fully attending to what’s happening, to what you’re doing, to the space you’re moving through.” Instead of just floating through your day, mindfulness aims to make your conscious of every action and reaction you have. Yoga International defines meditation as “the technique employed to focus the brain, and reach higher levels of consciousness.” Mindfulness meditation is a centuries old practice that dates back to ancient India. So why have people continued this practice for so long? Below, we’ll take a look at just a few of the many benefits of mindfulness meditation!

Reduce Stress and Anxiety
Countless studies have shown that focusing on breathing and clearing the mind lower the amounts of cortisol (the hormone related to stress) that is found in your brain. This calming effect can be felt within minutes, so setting aside even five minutes to meditate each day can be beneficial!

Improve Grades
Practicing mindfulness meditation might be especially helpful during exam season. Some studies have shown a connection between meditation and increased memory/overall cognitive function.

Improve Focus and Concentration
By increasing your mindfulness, your brain becomes better at cancelling out white noise and distractions. This leaves you feeling more focused, and able to concentrate on the task at hand.

Sleep Better
Increased mindfulness is also associated with getting a better night of sleep. Not only do those who practice mindfulness techniques have an easier time falling asleep, but the sleep that they get is deeper and more beneficial. Guided meditation podcasts and audio files can be a great way to wind down after a long day.

Try it Out!
Are you interested in trying mindfulness meditation? The Health Resource Center offers Koru Mindfulness, a free four week class designed to help you manage stress, sleep better, and bring balance to your life. To register, email SHS-Koru@csulb.edu. If you’re looking to practice mindfulness on your own, the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC) offers free audio files of guided meditation in English and Spanish.


References:
https://yogainternational.com/article/view/the-real-meaning-of-meditation
https://www.mindful.org/what-is-mindfulness/
http://marc.ucla.edu/default.cfm

By Annika Horvath



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