Johnson: Meditation improves mental health, social health

Graphic by Natalie Lutz | Orange Media Network The widespread benefits of incorporating a regular meditation practice into a daily routine has the power to grant us more control over stressful events, while promoting healthier mental habits overall. Our minds are tasked with the important job of repairing the damage that prolonged stress can cause, rendering us less likely to be fully engaged in the present moment, and more likely to be emotionally disconnected from those around us. Imagine if meditation became the new daily norm, next to brushing our teeth. Sitting with the silence of our minds for a few minutes a day can greatly improve one’s quality of life. The idea that meditation optimizes both mental and physical health has been the focus of numerous scientific studies over the past decade. The demands of our daily lives often leave our minds overstimulated with countless agendas and to-do lists, but according to Professor John Edwards of Oregon State University’s School of Psychological Science, active mindfulness and meditation practices can help relieve stress, alleviate high blood pressure, reduce physical pain and mitigate the effects of some psychological disorders. It’s common knowledge that stress builds tension within the body that can likely lead to the development of health problems down the road. This can also lead us to be more reactionary to negative events that we could have otherwise brushed off or ignored. Stress limits our ability to enjoy the present moment, as well as our ability to fully empathize with others. Adopting meditation as a part of a daily routine can offer solutions to these problems by improving the brain and its responses to negative events. While everyone practices meditation for different reasons, whether it be to reduce anxiety or to develop their concentration, the benefits of making it […]

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