Why Meditation Works Good for Mind & Body

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Why Meditation Works Good for Mind & Body

Posted On : Aug-20-2011 | seen (542) times | Article Word Count : 635 |

This phenomenally ancient technique is a brain thing. As you may know, meditation is a process that starts in the mind, but ends in the body. This relaxation method is gaining a lot of respect from the medical community.It’s not just a practice for hippies or spiritualists anymore.

It’s a proven fact that meditation can change the way your brain handles information. A new study has shown that the areas of the brain that are responsible for awareness and attentiveness are actually altered by long-term use of meditation.
If Kung Fu movies have taught us anything, it’s that meditation can increase a person’s sensitivity to his or her environment. Now, science has shown that this is likely true.
The most interesting thing about this study is that researchers were able to show actual physical changes in the brain after meditation. The areas affected were those that have to do with attention and the ability to focus and process the senses. In these sections of the brain, the cortex (the outer part of the brain that is responsible for the thought process) had thickened.
Researchers aren’t ready to jump wholeheartedly to happy conclusions, however. The authors of the study say that while they believe that this change in the brain is for the better, they’re not entirely sure.
Better Mental Function
When the group of patients that meditated was compared to those patients who didn’t, researchers found that age had a lot to do with the effect. The difference in thickness of the cortex in the older individuals was the most significant of all.
This means that the cortex may thin out as people age. To put it bluntly, this means that meditation may protect against cognitive decline and may, specifically, improve older adults’ ability to focus and be attentive.
Reaping the Benefits
Meditation for everyone. It’s a focused state of attention that could help you block out negative thoughts and allow positive or healing feelings to come tumbling through. You don’t have to be an expert to enjoy the benefits of meditation. You can start at any age and any ability level. All it takes is a little commitment. And two central tips:
1. Choose Your Method
There are various types of meditation. Some are more disciplined than others. If you feel like you would like guidance, especially if you are a beginner, you can try taking a meditation class.
Being in a group of people may help you feel less isolated, which may ease your relaxation efforts. However, if you tend to get uncomfortable around others, you may want to try meditating on your own. You can get either a book or a CD to help you reach that state of meditation.
Another thing that you may want to look into is whether you prefer silent or mantra-based meditation. Silent meditation speaks for itself (or, rather, it doesn’t speak at all). Mantra meditation involves the chanting of phrases in a low tone to help focus your mind.
This is the type of meditation you always see as an example in movies and on TV shows. It’s usually portrayed as a guy sitting bent like a pretzel chanting “oooohmm” in a deep voice. However, the word(s) used can be any number of things.
Whether you choose mantra or silent meditation doesn’t seem to matter. Both types are effective. It is just up to you to decide which you prefer.
2. Make It a Habit
Meditation should be something that you practice daily. Just take 20 minutes to be alone or with others who are meditating. Make sure that the room is quiet and free of distractions. Listen to quiet music if it helps, or keep everything turned off. Make sure that you come back to your spot every day.
Meditation is great, because even if you’ve had a bad day and don’t feel like doing it, if you do your regular 20 minutes, you’ll feel so much better afterward. In the long run, meditation may help a lot more than just your mood. As the above study showed, it may even help protect your brain.

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<h1>Why Meditation Works Good for Mind & Body</h1> Author: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/profile_doctorshealthpress.aspx'>doctorshealthpress</a> It’s a proven fact that meditation can change the way your brain handles information. A new study has shown that the areas of the brain that are responsible for awareness and attentiveness are actually altered by long-term use of meditation.
If Kung Fu movies have taught us anything, it’s that meditation can increase a person’s sensitivity to his or her environment. Now, science has shown that this is likely true.
The most interesting thing about this study is that researchers were able to show actual physical changes in the brain after meditation. The areas affected were those that have to do with attention and the ability to focus and process the senses. In these sections of the brain, the cortex (the outer part of the brain that is responsible for the thought process) had thickened.
Researchers aren’t ready to jump wholeheartedly to happy conclusions, however. The authors of the study say that while they believe that this change in the brain is for the better, they’re not entirely sure.
Better Mental Function
When the group of patients that meditated was compared to those patients who didn’t, researchers found that age had a lot to do with the effect. The difference in thickness of the cortex in the older individuals was the most significant of all.
This means that the cortex may thin out as people age. To put it bluntly, this means that meditation may protect against cognitive decline and may, specifically, improve older adults’ ability to focus and be attentive.
Reaping the Benefits
Meditation for everyone. It’s a focused state of attention that could help you block out negative thoughts and allow positive or healing feelings to come tumbling through. You don’t have to be an expert to enjoy the benefits of meditation. You can start at any age and any ability level. All it takes is a little commitment. And two central tips:
1.	Choose Your Method
There are various types of meditation. Some are more disciplined than others. If you feel like you would like guidance, especially if you are a beginner, you can try taking a meditation class.
Being in a group of people may help you feel less isolated, which may ease your relaxation efforts. However, if you tend to get uncomfortable around others, you may want to try meditating on your own. You can get either a book or a CD to help you reach that state of meditation.
Another thing that you may want to look into is whether you prefer silent or mantra-based meditation. Silent meditation speaks for itself (or, rather, it doesn’t speak at all). Mantra meditation involves the chanting of phrases in a low tone to help focus your mind.
This is the type of meditation you always see as an example in movies and on TV shows. It’s usually portrayed as a guy sitting bent like a pretzel chanting “oooohmm” in a deep voice. However, the word(s) used can be any number of things.
Whether you choose mantra or silent meditation doesn’t seem to matter. Both types are effective. It is just up to you to decide which you prefer.
2.	Make It a Habit
Meditation should be something that you practice daily. Just take 20 minutes to be alone or with others who are meditating. Make sure that the room is quiet and free of distractions. Listen to quiet music if it helps, or keep everything turned off. Make sure that you come back to your spot every day.
Meditation is great, because even if you’ve had a bad day and don’t feel like doing it, if you do your regular 20 minutes, you’ll feel so much better afterward. In the long run, meditation may help a lot more than just your mood. As the above study showed, it may even help protect your brain.About the Author: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.doctorshealthpress.com/subscribe/bb/index.php?sb=ewseh1&affid=wd147&subid=lc1">SIGN UP FOR THE DOCTORS HEALTH PRESS E-BULLETIN AND RECEIVE A FREE COPY OF TOP 12 BRAIN BOOSTING SUPER FOODS!</a> Article Source: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Why-Meditation-Works-Good-for-Mind--Body_75213.aspx'> http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Why Meditation Works Good for Mind & Body_75213.aspx</a>

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Keywords : Better Mental Function, Meditation for everyone,

Category : Health and Fitness : Meditation

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