Mind-Body Connection Part 1 : The Physical and Mental Benefits of Mindfulness Meditation
By Gianna Saviano, AMFT
The fast-paced nature of today’s world makes it easy to feel overwhelmed by thoughts and emotions. Emotional flooding can often result in an overload of stress and anxiety – which we’re all aware can wreak havoc on our health.
Things that can disrupt both our emotional and physical health include: life transitions such as divorce or marriage, financial problems, loss of loved one, being laid off from a job, suffering an illness or injury, becoming a parent, and so much more – all of which can result in stress and anxiety, poor sleep quality, depression, feelings of loneliness – and physical symptoms like chronic pain, headaches, sexual problems, and weight gain/loss.
The practice of meditation has been around for centuries, and is defined as "paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally." Mental health benefits have been well-documented; however, modern day experts have now also linked this practice as being beneficial to physical well-being. It has been proven that even just a few minutes of daily mindfulness-meditation practice can have a positive impact on us, both mentally and physically.
Here are a few ways mindfulness meditation can positively influence our mental and physical states according to research studies:
Reduces stress/anxiety: Cortisol (the stress hormone) production decreases significantly in in the brain during mindfulness meditation practice, and remains low hours after the meditation session ends.
Supports a healthy heart: A daily meditation practice can improve blood circulation, lower heart rate, and help maintain a healthy heart.
Strengthens immune system: Your immune system responds to both negative and positive thoughts. Meditation creates a positive mental environment for the immune system to thrive.
Enhances quality of sleep: Just ten minutes of guided meditation a day for two weeks can result in an enhanced quality and duration of sleep.
Improves attention: A consistent mindfulness practice can help encourage brain function and slow memory loss.
Decreases inflammation: Mindfulness-based interventions reduced loneliness and pro-inflammatory gene expression in adults.
Now that you have all of this information and these motivating reasons to practice mindfulness meditation, our next blog post will discuss how to incorporate a simple, yet effective meditation practice into your daily life.