Why Learn How to Meditate?

For many years, humans have looked for alternatives to relax or release their minds from daily obligations. Meditation has become one of our greatest allies in the last few years to achieve this.

Meditating not only helps us to reduce stress, but it can also contribute to relieving pain and strengthening our immune systems. Many studies also show that it favors concentration and memory.

Most people that meditate regularly have noticed benefits in their health due to this practice. It's a process that requires time and patience. Although doing this usually feels good immediately, results tend to be more visible with sustained practice over time.

Benefits of Meditation

The benefits of this practice are many as it not only serves to change the regular functioning of the mind but also serves as a tool to know ourselves better. Exploring new emotions is always a good idea when we search for personal happiness and mental health.

The World Health Organization considers mental well-being to be "the ability to think, learn, and understand one's emotions and the reactions of others. Mental health is a state of balance, both within and with the environment." We understand that mental health is influenced by social factors, as well as psychological, biological, and environmental factors.

The practice of meditation can have many benefits. Although all people are capable of carrying out this practice differently, each person has their own process and understanding of what meditation is. Below, we will mention some of the positive aspects of meditation.

Reduces Stress Levels

Complying with so many obligations every day is exhausting. It can bring about stress, anxiety, and a constant sense of pressure. Some of the symptoms of this condition include intense headaches, digestive issues, high blood pressure, and more. Meditating will help you to release intrusive thoughts and to be more present in the here and now, without becoming obsessed with the things that are happening in your life, and without becoming carried away by the problems in it.

Improves Memory

Meditating contributes to the acquisition of knowledge through introspection and self-awareness. Exercising the mind implies peace and concentration, two fundamental pillars of this discipline. The continuity of meditation over time can help you notice favorable changes.

Improves the Quality of Sleep

Rest is a reflection of our minds. When we reach a deep state of relaxation through meditation, sleep becomes much more simple, and you can achieve a more replenishing rest. Sleeping and resting help you start the day with much more energy and good humor for the routine ahead of you.

Develops Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence allows us to identify feelings and emotions to channel them in the best possible way. Strengthening this capacity will help us to lead more fulfilling and worry-free lives. Rather than reacting to situations in life "automatically", practicing meditation and mindfulness will help you to observe the usual paths of your mind and allow you to catch yourself more easily when you are about to "lose it".

Relaxes Muscles

We are constantly tense. Relaxing our muscles through meditation helps us to reach an optimal physical state to exercise or practice sports. This is of vital importance to avoid injuries or hurting ourselves in the future.

Improves Concentration

Many people who practice this activity assure that it helps them improve their attention considerably, and it helps them be more aware of their own thoughts. Having the capacity to be aware of one's thoughts increases learning capacity.

Delays Mental Aging

When you improve your concentration and mental flexibility through meditation, the brain is protected against cognitive decline. As years go by, these capacities begin to fade and it's important to keep mentally active to strengthen the brain when we are faced with physiological changes.

Avoids Anxiety and Depression

Many studies show that meditation is one of the main ways to feel calm and reach a state of stillness. Through a few minutes of practice, the body manages to relax and calm down.

What Happens in Our Brains When We Meditate?

For years, many branches of science and scholars have studied this subject and delved into the effects of meditation on brain functions. Advances in magnetic resonance have also allowed huge discoveries in the sphere of neuroscience, and several studies have been able to register the impact of meditation on the human brain.

As a result, they have concluded that meditating not only reduces stress levels, but that it also implies tangible changes in health, such as the reinforcement of the immune system, and the reduction of pain and inflammation caused by bangs and wounds.

Clinical analysis shows that meditation increases the amount of gray matter in the parts of the brain related to the regulation of self-control and emotions. It also increases the cortical width in areas related to attention. This is why meditation is directly connected to happiness and compassion.

Medical clinician and cardiologist, Daniel López Rosetti, who graduated from the School of Medicine of the University of Buenos Aires, assures that meditation is a biological process that we practice regularly. All we need to do is "polish" and practice it.

What Happens if We Meditate Daily?

To achieve consistency, we recommend developing a habit. But, how long does it take to create a habit? Well, in 1960, Maxwell Maltz, an American plastic surgeon, observed that patients that had had one of their extremities amputated took 21 days to assimilate the absence of that part of their body. However, research carried out by the University College London (UCL) overrode that theory.

Specialists assured that there is no exact time to create a habit, that it could take up to 10 weeks, and that this variable depends on the person, the context, and the habit that is being created.

Once we understand this, it's essential to realize that meditating is about being present in the moment. That is to say, being aware without identifying thoughts or analyzing them. As we form the habit, we will be taking steps toward our own well-being. But, how do we manifest these changes? We detail them below:

✅ We breathe better: when we relax correctly, we learn to calm our bodies down and connect with our inner selves. Breathing becomes a conscious act and a very enjoyable one.

✅ We stop judging: Meditation is a compassionate activity. When we practice empathy, connecting with our emotions and altruism, it's easier to understand that other people do the best they can, given their circumstances. This helps us to put ourselves in the place of the other person instead of judging.

✅ It has an impact on our environment: When we put our knowledge of ourselves to the test, we begin to be more aware of the world that surrounds us, the people we relate to, and of course, ourselves. We become more tolerant and receptive. When we do this, we are the change that we want to see in the world.

Download the Hakuna app to gain a better understanding of this path. Find out everything that meditation has to offer you, and gain the benefits of over 1000 sessions that you can access, tailored for the different moments you may go through in your life. Start today, free of charge.