In today’s fast-paced, gadget-obsessed society, most people get so busy that many of them fail to be present in the moment. A well-lived life isn’t about having something, doing something or getting something. Rather, it is how you embrace the life you already have right now.
We all know bad habits are hard to change. But as we close one year and begin a fresh new year, it’s time to start thinking about new healthy habits that will mold you into a better person.
Here are 4 good reasons why you should start meditating this New Year.
It beats the blues
Regular meditation practice makes you happier. It helps reduce stress, anxiety, depression and increases positive emotion. It produces a feeling of calm and relaxation. Through regular meditation practice, you learn to let go of negative thinking. Over time, meditators experience enhanced positive emotions.
It improves your health
We all know that meditation helps increase our focus and eases anxiety, but the benefits of meditation aren’t just limited to mental health. Several studies suggest that meditation has tangible health benefits. It helps reduce stress levels, depression and anxiety, improves immune function, helps maintain blood flow and decreases inflammation at the cellular level. The best part is, you can reap all these benefits for as little as 15 minutes a day.
It boosts your social life
With the rise of technology, we don’t get to connect or interact with others as much as we used to. Meditation, being a social activity, heightens the individual’s emotional intelligence and develops the sense of connection to others.
According to studies, individuals who practice meditation are more social. This is because meditation contributes to the release of endorphins, making the person feel good about himself/herself. Because of this, you become more confident – no worries, no social anxiety. Meditation has also been linked with greater compassion.
It helps you live in the moment
We live in an age of distraction. As you go through your daily routine, you may find yourself dreaming of vacation, your thoughts being clouded with the argument you had with your spouse this morning or thinking about what to have for dinner tonight. Keep in mind, though, that a wandering mind is an unhappy mind.
Meditation helps by increasing your ability to stay in the moment. The more consistent you are with your meditation practice, the more skilled you become at limiting those distracting thoughts and focusing your awareness where you want it to go. It helps bring you back to the here and now.