Benefits of Meditation

"Meditation is a holistic discipline by which the practitioner attempts to get beyond the reflexive, "thinking" mind into a deeper state of relaxation or awareness. Meditation is a component of many religions, and has been practiced since antiquity."

This is a list of proven benefits of practicing meditation. Note that to achieve most of these it is ideal to meditate at least once daily for 20 minuets.

------------------------------------------Physiological

Deep rest-as measured by decreased metabolic rate, lower heart rate, and reduced work load of the heart.
Lowered levels of cortisol and lactate-two chemicals associated with stress.
Reduction of free radicals- unstable oxygen molecules that can cause tissue damage.
Improved blood pressure.
Higher skin resistance. Low skin resistance is correlated with higher stress and anxiety levels.
Drop in cholesterol levels. High cholesterol is associated with cardiovascular disease.
Improved flow of air to the lungs resulting in easier breathing. This has been very helpful to asthma patients.
Slows down the aging process.
It lowers oxygen consumption.
It decreases respiratory rate.
It increases blood flow
Increases exercise tolerance.
Leads to a deeper level of physical relaxation.
Decreases muscle tension
Helps in chronic diseases like allergies, arthritis etc.
Reduces Pre-menstrual Syndrome symptoms.
Helps in post-operative healing.
Enhances the immune system.
Reduces activity of viruses and emotional distress
Enhances energy, strength and vigor.
Helps with weight loss
Reduction of free radicals, less tissue damage
Higher skin resistance
Higher levels of DHEAS (Dehydroepiandrosterone)
prevented, slowed or controlled pain of chronic diseases
Makes you sweat less
Cure headaches & migraines
Greater Orderliness of Brain Functioning
Reduced Need for Medical Care
Less energy wasted
More inclined to sports, activities
Significant relief from asthma
Improved performance in athletic events
Normalizes to your ideal weight
Harmonizes our endocrine system
Relaxes our nervous system
Produce lasting beneficial changes in brain electrical activity
Cure infertility (the stresses of infertility can interfere with the release of hormones that regulate ovulation).

---------------------------------------------Psychological
Increased brain wave coherence.
Decreased anxiety.
Decreased depression
Decreased irritability and moodiness
Improved learning ability and memory.
Increased self-actualization.
Increased feelings of vitality and rejuvenation.
Increased happiness.
Increased emotional stability.
Builds self-confidence.
Increases serotonin level, influences mood and behavior.
Resolve phobias & fears
Helps control own thoughts
Helps with focus & concentration
Increase creativity
Improved relationships
Mind ages at slower rate
Easier to remove bad habits
Develops intuition
Increased Productivity
Improved relations at home & at work
Able to see the larger picture in a given situation
Helps ignore petty issues
Increased ability to solve complex problems
Purifies your character
Develop will power
Greater communication between the two brain hemispheres
React more quickly and more effectively to a stressful event.
Increases one’s perceptual ability and motor performance
Higher intelligence growth rate
Increased job satisfaction
Increase in the capacity for intimate contact with loved ones
Decrease in potential mental illness
Better, more sociable behavior
Less aggressiveness
Helps in quitting smoking, alcohol addiction
Reduces need and dependency on drugs, pills & pharmaceuticals
Need less sleep to recover from sleep deprivation
Require less time to fall asleep, helps cure insomnia
Increases sense of responsibility
Reduces road rage
Decrease in restless thinking
Decreased tendency to worry
Increases listening skills and empathy
Helps make more accurate judgments
Greater tolerance
Gives composure to act in considered & constructive ways
Grows a stable, more balanced personality
Develops emotional maturity

------------------------------------------------Spiritual

Helps keep things in perspective
Provides peace of mind, happiness
Helps you discover your purpose
Increased self-actualization.
Increased compassion
Growing wisdom
Deeper understanding of yourself and others
Brings body, mind, spirit in harmony
Deeper Level of spiritual relaxation
Increased acceptance of oneself
Helps learn forgiveness
Changes attitude toward life
Creates a deeper relationship with your God
Attain enlightenment
Greater inner-directedness
Helps living in the present moment
Creates a widening, deepening capacity for love
Discovery of the power and consciousness beyond the ego
Experience an inner sense of “Assurance or Knowingness”
Experience a sense of “Oneness”
Increases the synchronicity in your life