Why yoga and meditation are good for you
Meditation and yoga offer mental and physical benefits sounds cliché, doesn’t it? Yet, it’s true.
For decades, these have held on to their popularity amongst people of all ages and gender mainly because thousands who practice these techniques- even just a few times a week- can attest to their positive effects on mind, body, and spirit.
Did you know that64% of people who devote their time to these practices in the U.S said they can’t see themselves stopping?
And that there are approximately200-500 million peoplein the world who practice meditation?
So, what is it with yoga and meditation that people cannot stop following? What is it with these practices that more and more people are encouraged to start, in the first place?
Here are the 6 biggest reasons why yoga and meditation are good for you:
Boost Confidence
Yoga and meditation can uplift your spirit, which is instrumental in improving your self-esteem.
These two physical and mental exercises, time and again, have proven their worth in getting rid of tension in your system. Yoga and meditation can removestress and anxietythat you may be experiencing, through their ancient ways of strongly connecting the pieces that will make you feel complete and at peace.
Protect the Brain
Meditating regularly can prevent signs and symptoms of the aging brain.
When you reach your 20s, the activity and size of your brain start to decrease. Since meditation is basically an exercise for the brain – while yoga (asana) is an exercise for the body- you are keeping it protected againstcognitive decline.
Studies claim that meditation can also help manage dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other neurodegenerative disorders.
Enhances Concentration and Attention
A common misconception about poor concentration is it only happens with kids. However, there is a growing number of adults, who are suffering from this as well.
Regular practice of yoga and meditation can improve
your concentration and attention.
And a better concentration and focus can lead toimproved cognitive skills.
Manage Depression
Depression has sadly become a household “term” because more and more people suffer from it.
When life’s demands get hectic and you struggle with them, you feel deeply alone, incapable to cope with what is in front of you.
Yoga and meditation help you managedepression, especially when practiced regularly, reconnecting you to your natural states of joy and inner peace.
Improve Heart Health
One of the important aspects that affect your overall health is your heart’s condition.
According to research, meditation and yoga are the two forms of exercise that can reduce your susceptibility to heart diseases because these practices will “condition” your heart‘s health.
Generally, they will help lessen blood cholesterol and lower blood pressure as well as blood glucose levels. Definitely, these are useful as lifestyle interventions.
Promote Good Sleep
Poor quality of sleep can lead to many negative emotions, not to mention the physical effects like high blood pressure, depression, and poor concentration.
Yoga, specifically its physical exercises, helps you connect to a deeper state of consciousness from the time you wake up to the time you hit the bed.
The mindful breathing during the practice can calm both body and mind, which are two of the biggest recipes to a night of good sleep.
We are often in a battle with life and sometimes our fighting mechanisms come short, so we tend to react through negative responses.
One thing is sure, we can’t control what life throws at us. What we can control, though, is learn how to manage it.
Yoga and meditation are two of the best management tools that we can implement in our routine. Both do not only deal with our physical system, they also bring benefits to your spirit. Give them a try!
And if you are looking to start a practice and are not sure how to begin, let’s chat.
