Meditation and the Mind
- whereemotionsflow
- May 22
- 2 min read
By: Jayita Bandargal
Everyone is under stress today, from teenagers who worry about their academics to adults who worry about their next paycheck. Some form of stress is needed for our survival, which is called eustress, but nowadays we have way more stress than needed. This is where meditation comes in.
What is meditation? Wikipedia, Merriam-Webster, and Cambridge define it differently, but they all conclude that it involves attaining a state of calm and relaxation. MRI scans show that after an eight-week course of mindfulness practice, the brain’s “fight or flight” center, the amygdala, appears to shrink. This primal region of the brain, associated with fear and emotion, is involved
in the initiation of the body’s response to stress. (H.Sandra, 2023).Levels of dopamine (the neurotransmitter of pleasure), serotonin (the neurotransmitter of happiness), and GABA (the neurotransmitter of calmness) all rise in response to meditation. (L. Rachel, 2023). It increases neuroplasticity, thus strengthening neuronal connections. During the process of meditation, accumulated stresses are removed, energy is increased, and health is positively affected overall. Research has confirmed a myriad of health benefits associated with the practice of meditation. These include stress reduction, decreased anxiety, decreased depression, reduction in pain (both physical and psychological), improved memory, and increased efficiency. (Sharma.H, 2015). Regular practice leads to a positive mindset and more calmness and happiness. You also gain the ability to deal calmly and effectively with problems, difficulties, daily tasks, and daily affairs of life. (R.Sasson).
In a world of non-stop stimulation and constant distractions, our minds are quite literally being fried. Teenagers now need to be doing something all the time. Boredom and concentration are concepts written in Latin for us. That is why meditation is required now more than ever. Giving
ourselves a chance to think, feel, and understand what is happening to us can be attained by practicing mindfulness. Psychology researchers found strong evidence that people who received MBCT (Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy) were less likely to react with negative thoughts or unhelpful emotional reactions in times of stress. They also found moderate evidence that people who participated in MBCT or MBSR (Mindfulness-based stress reduction) were better able to focus on the present and less likely to worry and to think about a negative thought or experience over and over (American Psychological Association, 2019). Starting with three minutes a day can be plenty. Three minutes of no stimulation, no noise, no distraction, just focusing on ur mind and your breathing. Just a few minutes to yourself can do wonders.
References
American Psychological Association. (2019, October). Mindfulness meditation: A research-proven way to reduce stress. https://www.apa.org/topics/mindfulness/meditation
Harvard Health Publishing. (n.d.). What meditation can do for your mind, mood, and health. Harvard Medical School.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/what-meditation-can-do-for-your-mind-mood-an d-health
Hearth, S. (2023, May). What happens to the amygdala with meditation and mindfulness? https://wellbeingport.com/what-happens-to-the-amygdala-with-meditation-and-mindfulness/
Sasson, R. (n.d.). What is meditation? Meaning, definition, and benefits. Success Consciousness.
https://www.successconsciousness.com/blog/meditation/what-is-meditation/#aioseo-what-are-th e-benefits-of-meditation
Sharma, H. (2015). Meditation: Process and effects. Ayu, 36(3), 233.
Stanford University. (n.d.). What happens when you meditate. Stanford Magazine. https://stanfordmag.org/contents/what-happens-when-you-meditate
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