5 Ways Using Meditation Helps To Calm The Mind

While many people have heard of the benefits of meditation, many do not know how meditation helps to calm the mind. It is a fact that there are many things in our lives that cause stress and anxiety, but this does not mean that we need to put up with these stresses all the time. In order to find peace in our lives, we must learn how to calm our minds and get to a place where we feel relaxed. Some of the ways meditation helps to calm the mind includes:

• Mindfulness - Studies have shown that meditators who focus on their breath exhibit high levels of mindfulness. Mindfulness is similar to being aware of what is happening in the moment. In a recent study, meditators were monitored while they were doing a task that required them to focus on their breath. The results showed that the people who were more mindful of their breath had lower blood pressure than those who did not pay attention to their breath. This proves that by being mindful we can control our blood pressure.

• Reduced Stress - Meditation has been shown to increase overall levels of relaxation. When we are stressed and tense, our body produces a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol affects the heart rate, increases heart rate and causes us to be alert and stressed out. However, when we meditate and focus on our breathing, our brains release beta-endorphins, which are natural pain killers and mood enhancers. Thus, by meditating on a regular basis, we can reduce the effects of stress and increase the quality of our lives.

• Reduce Anxiety - Another benefit of meditation is reducing the symptoms of anxiety. Meditators have been found to experience less panic attacks, and their worries go away more quickly. When we are anxious, our thoughts run wild and our thinking becomes irrational. This leads to physical symptoms such as an increase heart rate, sweating, and nervousness. However, when we learn to calm our minds and concentrate on breathing, these negative physical symptoms cease to exist.

• Teamwork - Meditation helps to bring individuals and teams together. Meditation helps to relieve the tension and stress that build up within a team during working hours. The brain waves of a person who is meditating will reach a relaxed state, and this enables them to better think and work together as a team. When a team is formed this way, the results can be far-reaching and very effective.

• Increases Concentration - In one study, students who participated in meditation processes were found to have a higher IQ (intelligence quotient) than those who did not. The reason for this was because the process they went through in meditation involves concentration. We can all remember a teacher who used to lecture us in class that concentration is a key skill for success. Concentration is what allows us to pay attention and remember what we are learning. When we are unable to focus, or if it is difficult to stay focused, we can quickly lose track of what we are learning.

• Can Help with Emotional Issues - Meditators have been found to have a better emotional balance, due to the deep breathing and relaxation that meditation provides. It is also a great way to reduce or eliminate anxiety and depression. When we meditate, our brains release chemicals called endorphins. These chemicals create a sense of well-being and euphoria. These are the same neurotransmitters that are found in people who are experiencing mood disorders such as major depression and bipolar disorder.
  
  
  Using meditation as a means of reducing stress and anxiety is a beneficial skill for anyone who wants to live a happier, more fulfilled life. Using meditation helps to calm the mind so that we can better focus on providing positive ways to deal with the many issues in our lives. If we don't take advantage of how meditation can help us, we could easily develop unhealthy habits and behaviors that can result in even more stress and anxiety. This would lead to more negative thoughts and feelings about ourselves, our relationships, our lives and others. It could even lead to more health problems.