LEARN TO MEDITATE IN 2020
As the popularity of meditation rises, more and more people are setting out to learn how to meditate and make it a part of their daily practice. At Elevate, we are big supporters of implementing a meditative practice into daily life and believe that there are many benefits that come with meditation.
 
There are thousands of research studies that have shown meditation to be positively impactful for both physical and mental health. Although research on mindfulness practices is still ongoing, there is already much evidence to show that making meditation a part of your life can have huge benefits.
 
Today, Elevate will be giving you our top 5 reasons to meditate. After reading the information provided in this guide, we are sure you’ll be ready to make meditation a part of your daily routine too!

What is Meditation?
Before we get to the top 5 reasons to meditate, it is important that you know exactly what meditation is. Meditation is commonly known as a mindfulness practice that involves training the mind to focus and redirect its way of thinking. Put simply, mindfulness is the practice of becoming present and resting fully in the here and now of any given moment. This leads you to be more fully engaged with whatever you are doing in the present.
 
While many think that meditation involves a superb amount of concentration, it is less about concentration and more about training your mind to enter a state of thoughtlessness. Thoughtlessness does not mean that you turn off your thoughts completely but, rather, that you perceive your thoughts and watch them come and go without judgment.
 
The meditative process is known for being a practice of relaxation for the mind. Meditation is all about gaining a new, healthier sense of perspective. Through retraining your mind and focusing it on non-judgment, you may even better understand your thought process on a daily basis. As we have discussed in brief, this habitual process leads to many physical and mental benefits. Here are the top 5 reasons that you should meditate!

Reduce Stress and Anxiety
Of the many reasons that meditation is beneficial, the effects it has on our mental state is perhaps one of the most powerful. Life can be chaotic and we are all prone to a degree of stress and anxiety at one point or another. Many people seek a meditative practice in order to calm the mind, reducing stress and anxiety in the process.
 
Stress and anxiety can be incredibly harmful to the mind and body. Mental and physical stress is known to cause increased levels of a stress hormone known as cortisol. Cortisol causes a number of effects that can disrupt daily life such as sleep disturbance, cloudy thinking, depression, and even increased blood pressure. When we meditate, the effects of this hormone are reduced in the body, leading to a more calm, peaceful state of mind and body.
 
Meditation’s ability to reduce stress and anxiety is proven by many scientific studies. In one particular study of 3,500 adults, meditation was shown to have a powerful effect on reducing stress and anxiety levels. This study found that meditation played a valuable role in reducing several areas of psychological stress after participants were asked to participate in mindfulness meditation programs.

Experience Greater Happiness and Well-Being
Many forms of meditation have been shown to promote a better sense of self-image and an overall better outlook on life. This is because meditation rewires the brain and increases psychological functioning in a way that improves overall sense of happiness and well-being. Best of all, the more you practice mindfulness meditation, the greater your sense of happiness and well-being will be!
 
One study that provides evidence that meditation leads to greater happiness and overall well-being followed 18 volunteers as they practiced meditation for a period of three years. In this study, it was shown that participants experienced significant long-term decreases in depression. After three years of a regular meditative practice, participants reported that they felt happier about their lives and experienced less anxiety.

Increase Your Energy and Vitality
While there are many ways that meditation benefits the mind, there are also many ways that it strengthens the body as well. One of these ways is in the fact that meditation increases your energy and vitality. With the busyness of day to day life, it can be incredibly difficult to find time to stop, take in the moment, and breathe. That’s exactly what meditation allows us to do and this can have very positive effects on energizing the body!
 
Did you know that one of the most common factors when it comes to having low energy is mental exertion? Stress and repetitive negative thinking is one of the most common causes of fatigue. When the brain is constantly expected to make a decision, solve a problem, or plan a next task, energy has to be exchanged in the form of electricity. When we meditate, we give our minds the chance to recharge. This leads to greater levels of energy and vitality for our everyday lives!

Be More Self-Aware and Present
What is self-awareness? Put simply, self-awareness is the ability to go within and connect with your inner true self. This is important for knowing who you really are, what you want out of life, and enhancing compassion. It is also a vital component in being in the present moment because in order to stop and become self-aware, you have to calm the mind and focus your thoughts. Meditation offers the perfect solution for this!
 
Life is full of constant distractions. From the busyness of work to caring for our families, there is always a task to complete. This can make it difficult to practice self-awareness regardless of how important it is. Meditation requires us to stop, be still, and block out unnecessary distraction, allowing for the perfect pathway to self-awareness and presence in the current moment.

Have Greater Focus and Clarity
Like any exercise, meditation allows for greater skill with practice. Considering the fact that meditation involves the consistent practice of focusing the mind, this strengthens the mental muscle. This happens as meditation involves rewiring the brain to concentrate on the present moment, bringing clarity to our lives. The brain is like a muscle and, as with any muscle, must be flexed in order to grow stronger. Meditation is the perfect practice for this.

Join Our Upcoming Meditation Workshop!
Now that you know all of the various physical and mental benefits of mediation, it’s time to get started on a regular meditative practice for yourself! Our Black Rock studio services just some of the Bayside suburbs of Beaumaris, Sandringham, Hampton, Highett, Mentone and Cheltenham. If you live in or around this area, Elevate will be hosting an upcoming meditation workshop on February 9th from 12-3 PM and we would love for you to join us. BOOK HERE or contact us for more details! Meditation is for anyone regardless of age or prior experience and you can get started on the path to a better life today.
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Namaste.

Hilary and the Elevate Yoga team
Corner of Beach and Balcombe Road, Black Rock.
T: (03) 9005 3664