/ Meditation
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To someone new to the world of meditation it can seem like a daunting practice. There are many misconceptions surrounding meditation, and this can sometimes put people off.
Some may feel that it is an unachievable goal, or that it takes too much time to properly commit to the practice, or that it requires a class or guided meditation to get the most out of meditation.
But it doesn’t have to be this way, and meditation can look different to different people. In fact, science shows that short bursts of simple, mindful meditation every day can have serious positive implications for our mental health, productivity, and even physical health.
What does the Science Say?
A study conducted by Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania has found that just 25 minutes of meditation a day can have an impact.
One criticism of other studies around the positive effects of meditation acknowledged in the article is that they are often studied over long, sustained periods of meditation by people following a formalised programme.
This study differs because it looks at subjects who practiced mindfulness meditation alone for just 25 minutes a day over three days, and the subjects are still showing profoundly positive changes to their mental health.
After the three day programme the subjects were asked to perform stressful math and speech puzzles in front of stern examiners, and saliva samples were then taken from the meditators and the control group.
The subjects who had undertaken three days of mindfulness meditation were shown to have significantly lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, in their saliva. This suggests that they were more resilient to stress levels as a direct result of their short daily meditations.
A Good Place To Start
This study is a great demonstration of the positive impact of a small change to our lifestyle. Meditation does not need a large-scale life overhaul in order to significantly reduce stress levels and increase our quality of life.
It can still be a daunting prospect if you’re not sure where to start. Here are just a few suggestions for easy, quick meditations to get you going:
Meditation for a Positive Mind
For many people, starting meditation practices is a means to take control of mental health and move to a more positive outlook. This easy meditation is perfect for opening the Heart Centre and welcoming positive thoughts.
Meditation to Prevent Freaking Out
When the world feels like it’s getting too much, taking a few minutes to refocus the mind and decompress can make all the difference.
Capture Radiant Healing Energy
Humans have an incredible ability to self-heal, and we can support this innate ability with simple meditations and breathing exercises.
The Takeaway
While 25 minutes a day may not seem like enough time to make a profound change to your outlook, the science says otherwise. Just a few minutes every day can help to banish negativity and reduce our stress hormone levels. Give it a go today.
See more: The Stages Of Samadhi in Meditation
